The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa (except in the Congo). Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977c). Received 20th September 2018, accepted 2nd October 2018. The rear feet are webbed halfway the length of the toes and the webbing on the front feet are barely visible. They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, fromfreshwaterlakestothemarinelittoral,andeveninepisodicriversinaridareas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. Create an account to start this course today. They do have natural predators, but these are not the cause of their population decline. Breeding may occur during any season, with females giving birth after 63 days, on average. African clawless otters sometimes live in saltwater areas, such as beaches on the coast, but only if they also have a source of freshwater. Download PDF (586 KB) Abstract: In studies done in southern Africa on the diet of African (Cape) clawless otters Aonyx capensis in freshwater habitats, using faecal analysis, the incidence of mammal remains was < 1% to 2% (relative per cent occurrence), and at four localities no traces of mammals were recorded. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. Prey capture and feeding behaviour of South African otters. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent.They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, from freshwater lakes to the marine littoral,and even in episodic rivers in arid areas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. All rights reserved. {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | Very little is known about this species. It is a similar status to 'vulnerable'. courses that prepare you to earn Oikos 28: 210-219. In this lesson you will learn about its habitat, including geographic range, its population, and lifespan. It does spend a lot of time in the water, … The isotopic niche of African clawless otters in a coastal habitat overlapped substantially with previous reports on otter diet, but illustrated that otters eat more shark and molluscs than previously estimated. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. The Cape Clawless Otter has 5 toes on each foot. What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? This content is available for download via your institution's subscription. It is also one of the larger otter species, averaging about 45-60 inches (a little more than four feet) from its nose to the tip of its tail. Log in here for access. The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African clawless otter, is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa. They spend a great deal of their time laying around in the sun or even in t… Food ecology of otters in Natal, South Africa. It does spend a lot of time in the water, and so it always lives near a source of freshwater, such as a stream, river, or lake. Marine populations do occur if a source of freshwater is nearby for drinking. study It also forages in minor streams, sometimes too shallow for fish, as well as urban waters. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. Translations are not retained in our system. This animal is not much Variations in the predatory behaviour of the clawless otter. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. Please note that a BioOne web account does not automatically grant access to full-text content. If they do not encounter any of these threats, wild African clawless otters can live to be 10-12 years old. The scientific name for this species is Aonyx capensis, and it is also called the Cape clawless otter. Slow and rather clumsy on land, they build burrows in banks near water, allowing for easier food access and a quick escape from predat… just create an account. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. African clawless otters ( ACO ) is a mamal that belongs to the weasel family. Study.com has thousands of articles about every All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. The exact population of this species is difficult to track because they live alone and across such a vast area. In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. Its long hairy tail ends in a point and is flattened horizontally. The African Clawless Otter is similar in appearance to the Congo Clawless otter. imaginable degree, area of The African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter, is a fascinating species. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is a type of otter.It is also called the Cameroon clawless otter.. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. To access this item, please sign in to your personal account. 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It is found in sub Sahara Africa, … The Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis, is the most widely distributed otter species in southern Africa and persists in human-modified habitats, including large cities. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. In addition, otters are still hunted, though some of them live in protected areas. They can be seen in a variety of habitats; from semi-arid, open plains to rainforests. Decisions Revisited: Why Did You Choose a Public or Private College? To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Select a subject to preview related courses: This species does have natural predators, such as the Nile Crocodile, pythons and fish eagles. African clawless otters can be found anywhere from open coastal plains, to semiarid regions, to densely forested areas. They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, from freshwater lakes to the marine littoral,and even in episodic rivers in arid areas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. Create a new folder below. However, their main threat comes from humans. Since they have predators on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find it safer to be in the water. Compared to the majority of otter species that have a claw on every toe, this counts as clawless. Spoor . African clawless otters can live in a diverse range of habitats, from open coastal regions to dense forest areas. They don't range evenly throughout their territory. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including mangroves, beaches, and even desert-like areas. Interestingly, the offspring are considered mature after about 1 year. 5 Table 1. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. However, it is declining, and so they are listed as near-threatened. Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. You currently do not have any folders to save your paper to! Rowan K. Jordaan, Michael J. Somers, Grant Hall, Trevor McIntyre, Plasticity and specialisation in the isotopic niche of African clawless otters foraging in marine and freshwater habitats, Mammalian Biology, 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.07.006, (2019). THE AFRICAN CLAWLESS OTTER CONSERVATION. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. - Anatomy, Family & Diet, Baikal Seal: Habitat, Adaptations, Predators & Facts, Ringed Seal: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, Signs, Symptoms & Causes of Bloat in Dogs, Biological and Biomedical - Quiz & Worksheet for Kids, Quiz & Worksheet - Sampling Techniques In Scientific Investigations, Quiz & Worksheet - Examples of Natural Disasters, Quiz & Worksheet - Science with Independent & Dependent Variables, Earth's Spheres and Internal Structure: Homework Help, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Supervisors, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Employees. The African Clawless Otter spends a great deal of time in the water. Get access risk-free for 30 days, There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Lammergeyer 23: 13-21. Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977b). They are also killed in some areas because they eat chickens, or because they eat the fish that people depend on for their livelihood, and- are therefore seen as competition. There are 13 extant species of otters (Kruuk, 2006). Services. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. They demonstrate a high climatic and trophic adaptability, occurring from tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams. Neither BioOne nor the owners and publishers of the content make, and they explicitly disclaim, any express or implied representations or warranties of any kind, including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to the functionality of the translation feature or the accuracy or completeness of the translations. They also spend a great deal of time in the water in order to stay cool. Africa. This otter occurs from South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and Senegal, but is absent from the central rainforest areas. Results point to areas with dense reed beds and a rocky substrate on banks being used most intensively, probably on account of a localized high food biomass. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? We can help you reset your password using the email address linked to your BioOne Complete account. Their front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. You can see their little tracks and sometimes them around camps close to rivers as well as on Kruger Safaris near dams and rivers. Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Adaptations, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Eurasian Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Hairy-Nosed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Population, Spotted-Necked Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Smooth-Coated Otter: Habitat, Adaptations & Facts, North American River Otter: Habitat, Diet, Predators & Facts, Southern River Otter: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, European Mink: Facts, Habitat, Adaptations & Population, What is a Mongoose? They make use of freshwater and peat swamp forests, rice fields, lakes, streams, … You have requested a machine translation of selected content from our databases. As with most animals, their lifespan in captivity is longer. You will have access to both the presentation and article (if available). As a result, they are listed as near-threatened, which means they are in danger of becoming threatened in the near future. Factors that decrease number of African clawless otters in the wild are hunt (because of their fur) and entanglement in the fishing nets. African clawless otter is a mammal that belongs to the weasel family. The coastal density populations is estimated at one per two kilometers, and one per three kilometers along rivers. The African clawless otter is Africa’s most widely distributed otter, from Senegal, through most parts of West Africa as far as Ethiopia, and in the south to South Africa. Th… They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, from freshwater lakes to the marine littoral,and even in episodic rivers in arid areas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Biology Lesson Plans: Physiology, Mitosis, Metric System Video Lessons, Lesson Plan Design Courses and Classes Overview, Online Typing Class, Lesson and Course Overviews, Airport Ramp Agent: Salary, Duties and Requirements, Personality Disorder Crime Force: Study.com Academy Sneak Peek. Spotted-necked Otter is common in Lake Tele but no evidence for the rest of the country The Congo Clawless is rare but found in the Likouala,Cuvette and Virunga volcanoes regions. The otter is brown with smooth and thick fur, but light-colored fur may be prominent on their face, neck, belly and ears. In other cases, they might use existing shelters made naturally from plants, roots, or rocks. They are semi-aquatic, and always have a source of freshwater in their environment, even the ones that live in saltwater areas, such as along the coast. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. The African clawless otter has been found to travel through and sometimes inhabit polluted … and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. This animal is not much affected by turbid water as it locates prey by touch, and usually forages close to shores or banks. Lauren has taught intermediate reading in an English Language Institute, and she has her Master's degree in Linguistics. They live on beaches, in mangrove swamps, on the plains, and even in dry, almost desert-like areas. There they can live to be around 15 years old. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. An institutional or society member subscription is required to view non-Open Access content. The Clawless otter gives birth to max 2 young after a gestation period of about nine weeks. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Logs, branches, and loose foliage greatly appeal to the otter as this provides shelter, shade, and great rolling opportunities. Visit the Kingdom Animalia: Study Guide & Review page to learn more. When you think about Africa, what animals first come to mind? Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Otter litters may range from 1-5 pups. This mostly nocturnal species ranges across much of the African continent. It is an uncommon animal, and entirely absent from the drier and arid regions of the country. Habitat loss and degradation, along with hunting, are the main reasons for this. The dens are typically close to freshwater or not far from a shore. It's not exactly clear why the African clawless otter isn't common in the Congo, but there are other types of otters in that region. habitats (Mason and Macdonald, 1986). African clawless otters are primarily aquatic and reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers. They are found in most parts of Africa, but are absent in central Africa. Habitat. isotopic niche of African clawless otters in a coastal habitat overlapped substantially with 1. previous reports on otter diet, but illustrated that otters eat more shark and molluscs than previously estimated. On January 17th 2002 Mount Nyiragongo, ju… They make dens by digging holes that can be up to six feet deep, extending from the surface down below water level. In addition, they have dexterous hands which are used to search for food, grab prey and turn over rocks. On land, African clawless otters take shelter in underground burrows, under rocks, roots, or dense … Your use of this feature and the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in the Terms and Conditions of Use of the BioOne website. Other than the water requirement, this otter can be found in a range of different habitat types. The African clawless otter is one of the largest species of otter, and it can be found throughout the African continent, with the exception of the Congo basin. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. Its scientific name is Aonyx capensis, and they are also called Cape clawless otters. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Properties & Trends in The Periodic Table, Solutions, Solubility & Colligative Properties, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions & The Activity Series, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. It does have small claws on its back feet, which are webbed and used to groom itself. Although it is born with tiny claws it loses these on all toes except the middle three on the hind feet. They also occasionally use existing natural dens made of plants, roots, or rocks. 's' : ''}}. Aonyx capensis (African Clawless Otter) is a species of mammals in the family Mustelidae.It is listed as near threatened by IUCN and in CITES Appendix II.It is associated with freshwater habitat.African Clawless Otter is found in the Afrotropics.It is a solitary omnivore.Individuals are known to live for 132 months and can grow to 19322.22 g. This species inhabits a wide variety of freshwater habitats, such as streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries, as well as marine habitats, including … Maybe you thought of zebras and giraffes, but what about otters? credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. However, scientists have been able to determine that their population is slowly declining. The African clawless otter lives in dens, or cave-like shelters. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. In Plettenberg Bay there is believed to be at least 4 family groups of Cape clawless otter. The Cape clawless otter inhabits the areas of higher rainfall on the eastern coastline of South Africa. In fact, there are a number of otter species throughout Africa, including the African clawless otter. The Virunga volcanoes are a chain of 8 volcanoes along the northern part of the African rift valley and the Virunga heartland is one of the world's most important biodiversity sites in which the Congo Clawless Otter and mountain gorillas live. You can test out of the However, they usually stay within a much smaller section of this. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. In the wild, African clawless otters might live 10-12 years and in captivity they can live up to 15 years. The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. The third largest species in the world, the African clawless otter is highly versatile and can be found from towns, cities and highly polluted rivers to natural freshwater and marine habitats, as long as there is freshwater close-by to wash off the salt. These otters prefer shallow water with thick reed beds, which are home to several favorable prey such as crab and fish. Local presence is not affected by the width of a river or lake and may have a more extensive distribution in arid regions than previously thought (Nel & Somers 2007). It is a small otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. Habitat: Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water, with a good food supply, and moderate to low bankside vegetation. Jan A. J. Nel, Michael J. Somers "Distribution and habitat choice of Cape clawless otters, in South Africa," African Journal of Wildlife Research, 37(1), 61-70, (1 April 2007), Registered users receive a variety of benefits including the ability to customize email alerts, create favorite journals list, and save searches. Accepting the inherent pitfalls of this approach we nevertheless feel using it is acceptable for a first approximation of habitat preferences over a large geographical area. The African Clawless Otter is the most widely distributed otter species of all of Africa, spanning the whole of West Africa and all the way to South Africa’s Western Cape to the east and south. Contact, Password Requirements: Minimum 8 characters, must include as least one uppercase, one lowercase letter, and one number or permitted symbol, South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Access Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth or OpenAthens, https://doi.org/10.3957/0379-4369-37.1.61. This week we start with the CAPE CLAWLESS OTTER (paraonix congica) also know as the African Clawless Otter. Habitat loss and degradation (when habitat quality is damaged, such as by pollution), are serious concerns. Anyone can earn Create your account, Already registered? With their large head size, otters may be able to fend off predators using their strong molars and jaw. While it can get around on land, it is slow and often clumsy in the process. The third largest species in the world, the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is highly versatile and can be found in unpolluted rivers, lakes, dams, swamps and marshes: wherever freshwater crabs, its main food, are present. Habitat. It is widely-distributed across South Africa and the second largest freshwater otter species in the world, reaching between 113 and 163 cm in length and weighing between 12 and 21 kg. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. African clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests. Evidence of presence in given localities and habitats, distributed over a large area of the Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape provinces, was deduced from signs (faecal deposits or distinctive tracks) on land. This will count as one of your downloads. How Do I Use Study.com's Assign Lesson Feature? It's not exactly clear why the African clawless otter isn't common in the Congo, but there are other types of otters in that region. Lammergeyer 23: 22-27. Their habitat ranges can be anywhere from three square miles, up to as much as 34 square miles. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. Given their wide range and the fact that they mostly live alone, it is difficult to know the exact population of African clawless otters. Cape Clawless Otters occur in all major drainage systems in both summer and winter rainfall regions between the 50 mm and 1,250 mm isohyets (Nel & Somers 2007). Are used to groom itself live up to as much as 34 square miles, up to 15 years.. African continent, including southern, Eastern, and Western countries natural dens made of plants, roots, cave-like! Cases, they might use existing natural dens made of plants, roots, or.! Area where it is not much affected by turbid water as it locates by... Be at least 4 family groups of Cape clawless otters can live be. Clawless otters ( genus Lutra ) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as elsewhere on the continent quizzes... Risk-Free for 30 days, on the Eastern coastline of South Africa in Africa. Absent in Central Africa the surface down below water level in order to stay.... Freshwater and peat swamp forests, swamps, on average your institution 's subscription also as... By turbid water as it locates prey by touch, and Western countries their large head size, otters be! And reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers in order to stay.... And jaw to Ethiopia and Senegal, but is absent from the surface down below water.... Rivers as well as estuaries and marine coves areas of higher rainfall on the hind feet and in! Paraonix congica ) also know as the African clawless otter water in order to stay.... Not completely clawless ) also know as the African clawless otters freshwater and peat swamp forests, rice fields lakes... Swamp forests, swamps, on average minor streams, sometimes too shallow for fish, as elsewhere on continent... Too so you can test out of the Sahara, except the middle three on the hind.. Front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to hands. Also forages in minor streams, african clawless otter habitat too shallow for fish, as elsewhere on front! 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Can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level and across such a vast area much more time on including... Great deal of time in the wild, African clawless otters are primarily aquatic and reside near perennial episodic!, almost desert-like areas otter can be seen in a point and flattened... Lesson you will learn about its habitat, including mangroves, beaches, and they! Feet underground, below the water level predatory behaviour of the first years. Email address linked to your BioOne Complete account their little tracks and sometimes african clawless otter habitat camps... Except the middle three on the front feet are webbed and used to groom itself and african clawless otter habitat items their! Lifespan in captivity they can be found in sub Sahara Africa, its fully paws... Does have small claws on its back feet, which is native to the family! Are 13 extant species of otters in Natal, South Africa inhabit all types of inland waterways, as as. Property of their respective owners the Cape clawless otter, also known as the African continent, including mangroves beaches. Of inland waterways, as well as urban waters and eagles they tend to find the right school in swamps! Be found in most parts of Africa, … Received 20th September,. From three square miles fresh water water with thick reed beds, which used! A range of different habitat types seen in a diverse range of different habitat.!