Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Aonyx
Species: capensis

DISCRIPTION:
 The African Clawless Otter, like all otters, is related to the mink, weasel, skunk and badger.  The hair is soft, rich, and velvety with silky underfur.  The color of its fur is Chestnut, there are whit markings on the cheeks, throat, and chest. They are  the second-largest freshwater species. Males weigh about 35 pounds, females about 30 pounds.   Body and tail together may be as long as 5 feet.   The Cape Clawless Otter's feet look like little hands because they have no webbing (they have 5 fingers, no thumb).  The finger and toe have no claws, but sometimes there are small growths reminiscent of human fingernails.

OTHER NAMES:
Also called: Cape Clawless Otter
Spanish: Nutria africana and Nutria de cuello blanco
French: Loutre a joues blanches
German: WeisswangenOtter and KapOtter
Italian: Lontra dalle guance bianche and Aonice capensi
African: Groot Otter

ALTERNATE SCIENTIFIC NAMES:
Paraonix congica
Paraonix microdon
Paraonix philippsi

HABITAT:
The otter is found in the southern portion of Africa.  Its habitat ranges from open coastal plains and semiaried country to dense forests, but the otters are always found near a permanent body of water. They are primarily nocturnal and den under boulders, driftwood, ledges or in tangles of vegetation.  They are active generally during the late afternoon and early evening, and like many otter species have set sprainting points and grooming areas.  The Cape Clawless Otter lives in clan-type groups, swimming most of the time and as with most otters are very curious and playful. When attacked or frightened, they scream in loud, powerful, high-pitched voices. They can usually be seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally they can be seen in family groups of up to five animals.

DIET:
The African Clawless Otter almost exclusively eats crabs and other crustaceans.  They have cheek teeth which are large and very strong, perfect for cracking mollusk shells. If sufficient crustaceans are not available, this otter will also eat turtles, fish, frogs, lizards, aquatic birds, and small mammals.  They capture most of their prey in their paws, hunting by sight and also using their long vibrissae (whiskers) which help when hunting in murky waters.   The sometimes knead through the mud with their sensitive fingers and scan for worms, or they move along in the shallow riverside waters with their head submerged, turning over stones or rocks in search of food.

REPRODUCTION:
During courtship, the male and female do a kind of water ballet, swimming around each other in a pretty spiral.  The gestation period lasts 63 days.  Then two to five young are born, usually in the spring.  Young clawless otters remain with their mother for about one year.  Young otters go through rituals of fighting and romping. They often pick up an object, juggle with it, throw it in the water and attempt to retrieve it before it falls to the bottom. These games probably help the youngsters to practice skills they will need to capture prey in later life.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
The African Clawless Otter is endangered.  The threats are increasing human population, farming and overgrazing.

For more information, contact Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
 

Page created by Kim Rich, Pensacola Junior College ZooTech Student, Fall 2000