The Spotted Necked Otter is smaller and darker than the African Clawless Otter and has a pale neck with spots. The aims of this study were to validate fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress using samples from a male African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis; n = 1), and secondly to compare fGCM concentrations of otters occurring in a transformed and two natural areas in South Africa. IUCN Redlist: http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=1794. They also spend a great deal of time in the water in order to stay cool. They musk their coats and produce a sticky feces, capable of clinging to vertical surfaces, to mark the boundaries of their territory. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 1990. The South African region is famous for its sharks and marine life including otters It was discovered otters had caught the sharks and consumed parts of the body Cape clawless otters … Its diet consists of crabs, lobsters, insects, frogs, and a wide array of fish species. I. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. Key words: African clawless otter, Aonyx capensis,habitat selection, river conservation. (ed.). Other members of this family include weasels, skunks, and ferrets. Eurasia. This otter is also known as the Capeclawless otter or groot otter. It is a social animal and forms distinctive male and female groups. Although African clawless otters will occupy habitat near saltwater, they need access to freshwater and live primarily along tributaries of major rivers or in seasonal rivers in arid and semiarid areas. Cape clawless otters occupy home ranges that can vary in size from 4.9 km to 54.1 km and they are generally found at densities of one otter for every 2 km of coast. Many still hunt them in Africa for their pelts as well. While it can get around on land, it is slow and often clumsy in the process. It is also called the Cameroon clawless otter. They use their forepaws for foraging. @Tekweni Congo clawless otters are one of 13 species of otters in the carnivore family Mustelidae. Our overarching zoological mission is to foster conservation awareness and to impart action on our park guests to preserve wild animals and wild places. The researchers propose that the otter's role in this ancient ecosystem - to which it was unique -was like that of the living African clawless otter and the Asian small-clawed otter today. These preliminary results suggest that African clawless otters may have increased adrenocortical activity that could be due to conditions linked to living in a transformed environment. (ed.). They spend a great deal of their time laying around in the sun or even in the shade. These otters have partly webbed and clawless feet, from which they get their name. They immediately go their separate ways afterwards as well. The Congo clawless otter actually does have small claws on all of its digits. 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. [2][3][4] The Congo clawless otter is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Burundi, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Uganda. African clawless otters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter overall. Only the giant otter and sea otter are larger. In the case of two cryptic, co-occurring South African otter species, namely the Cape Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) and the spotted necked otter (Lutra maculicollis), faeces (spraint) is used as a means of determining, , , a. It is the third largest species of otter. Otters mark their territories with scent, and fervently patrol and defend their territories. ツメナシカワウソを飼育展示している動物園・水族館は全国で3施設あります。ツメナシカワウソのいる動物園は、のいち動物公園の1施設だけ。ツメナシカワウソのいる水族館は、仙台うみの杜水族館と伊勢シーパラダイスの2施設です。 African (Cape) clawless otter (Aonyx capensis): The African clawless otter is one of four species of otters found in Africa. Although it is born with tiny claws it loses these on all toes except the middle three on the hind feet. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter.African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. Clawless otters have very sensitive forepaws. Adults range in size from 1.15-1.5m (3.8-5ft), and weigh from 16 … Common menu items include crabs, fish, … Come face-to-face with the wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities. 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. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. These whiskers are highly sensitive to vibrations all around them. African Clawless Otters exist in most fresh water systems or near the coast. The diet composition of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) was studied by analyzing of 440 spraint samples collected during January, 2014 and December, 2015 in both dry and wet seasons from eight sites in and around Lake Tana, North West Ethiopia. This article is protected by copyright. a. Cape clawless otters inhabit the southern two-thirds of the African continent. It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa (except in the Congo). The are considered to be full grown at about one year of age. Their tail measures 465 mm to 515 mm long and is typically stout However, proportions of trout in some of the African clawless otter isotopic niches (OT10 and OT12) are much higher than what has been previously determined in trout waters (Rowe-Rowe, 1977b; Butler and Du Toit, 1994). The African Clawless Otter is slow and awkward when it tries to move around on land. Learn more about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld. The extremely reduced claws and webbing on its paws gives this species incredible dexterity. South Africa’s favorite hike, the Otter Trail, is named after the Cape clawless otter. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Research is being undertaken by the University of Cape Town, through the Cape Clawless Otter Project, to “understand the spatial ecology and health of the Peninsula’s otters”. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is a type of otter. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. The African Clawless Otter is the second largest of all freshwater species. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. In some parts of Africa they are protected but it isn’t a widespread effort like it needs to be. This clawless otter, named Moses, was just a few weeks old when he was found abandoned at the side of a South African river. Johannesburg, South Africa – Yesterday was World Otter Day and to celebrate it, the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital shared the happy news of their latest release. There are 13 distinct species of otters ranging from the giant otter to the marine otter. They are found in freshwater and marine habitats, typically close to the forest areas along various areas of Africa. © 2021 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They mark their territory with their scent glands which are very powerful. Genetic diversity of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) occurring in urbanised areas of Gauteng, South Africa AUTHORS: Damian W. Ponsonby1 M. Thabang Madisha2 Ute Schwaibold1 Desiré L. Dalton2,3 AFFILIATIONS: 1School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa These tracks usually belong to mongooses, dogs, small wild cats, numerous bird species and the ever elusive otters. They also spend a great deal of time in the water in order to stay cool. The African clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, fish and insects. Available from Parker, S. They are avid hunters, even looking under logs and rocks for creatures that they can eat. Only the giant otter and sea otter are larger. Since they have predators on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find it safer to be in the water. All species of otters are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a worldwide treaty developed in 1973 to regulate trade in wildlife species. A passing police officer did spott the tiny pup, but wisely left the little animal alone in case the momma otter returned. The Cape clawless otter. They have a head that is larger than the other species of Otters which is a distinguishing characteristic when you see them in photos or books. Cape clawless otters occupy home ranges that can vary in size from 4.9 km to 54.1 km and they are generally found at densities of one otter for every 2 km of coast. So are we! 1990). Very little is known about this species. Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. It is the second largest freshwater species of water after the South American otter. The African clawless otter has been reported as living in family groups including the male, female, and pups (Rowe-Rowe 1978), family groups consisting of the female and pups, or … It is Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. Conservation ecology of the Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis, in an urban environment. It occurs in any large area of suitable habitat to the south of the Sahara, except the Congo Basin. It takes about 60 days from conception and the litters may be formed by one or 5 pups. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. This species of Otter is Least Concern in Conservation status, but they are hunted by humans and their habitat is destroyed. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. [Thesis]. An individual otter maintains a territory. Due to commercial hunting for meat and fur, Congo clawless otter population numbers have undergone severe declines especially in Nigeria and Cameroon. They are very fast when it comes to catching these items and then consuming them. The African Clawless Otter spends a great deal of time in the water. They love to play too so you can find them using logs and other items in their environment to have fun with. Night time is when they tend to be the most active and when they search for food. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. The visual aspects of communication, including body language, are mostly undescribed (Estes, 1991). The creatures live in dense vegetation beyond the high-water mark of rivers and sometimes scavenge along the beaches and hunt in shallow surf. They thrive both in the warm water areas and where the temperatures are very low. The African Clawless Otter are found everywhere in Africa except for the northern region. The African clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, fish and insects. They tend to either live alone or in small groups of about 6. IV. 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. This way, they can easily dart in and out to grab food or escape predators. Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. 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