Interesting Facts About African Clawless Otter
African Clawless Otter , also called the Cape Clawless Otter, belongs to the ‘clawless’ otter group and inhabits freshwater and intertidal regions of Africa. Weighing between 10-21 kilograms, these otters have bodies measuring 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length, covered in brown-and-grey fur, and topped with long, stout tails. They feature long whiskers on their white-to-cream faces and move on short, clawless feet without webbing.
| Latin Name | Aonyx capensis |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Location | Africa |
| Colour | Brown |
| Length | 73 – 95 cms (29 – 37 inches) |
| Tail | 41 – 67 cms (16 – 26 inches) |
| Weight | 10 – 16 Kgs (22 – 35 lbs) |
| Life Expectancy | Up to 11 Yrs (in Captivity) |
Facts and Information
- Size and Appearance:
- Length: 29 to 37 inches
- Weight: 22 to 80 pounds
- Tail length: 16 to 26 inches
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males larger than females
- Fur: Thick, soft, chocolate-brown on dorsal side, light-colored on the belly
- Facial Markings: White or creamy markings on face and throat
- Anatomy:
- Head: Large, broad head with strong jaws
- Teeth: Large, flat molars adapted for crushing food
- Limbs: Long fingers without claws on front feet, webbed hind feet
- Tail: Long tail used for balancing and propulsion in water
- Behavior:
- Nocturnal: Active during the night
- Aquatic Lifestyle: Spends most time in water, foraging for food and playing
- Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on frogs, fish, worms, and crabs
- Foraging: Uses front feet to find food hidden in rocks, logs, or mud
- Sensory Adaptations: Sensitive whiskers for detecting movement in water
- Habitat and Defense:
- Burrowing: Digs burrows on riverbanks for hiding from predators and daytime heat
- Predators: Main predators include crocodiles, pythons, and eagles
- Social Structure:
- Solitary: Typically solitary, occasionally forms groups of 5 to 6 individuals
- Territorial Marking: Marks territory with substance produced in anal gland
- Communication:
- Vocalizations: Communicates through whistles, huffs, growls, and high-pitched screams for danger alerts
- Reproduction:
- Reproductive Cycle: Can reproduce year-round, with a preference for the rainy period (December)
- Pregnancy: Lasts around 63 days, results in 1 to 5 pups
- Parental Care: Mother cares for pups on her own, nursing period lasts 45 to 60 days
- Life Cycle:
- Independence: Young otters begin independent life at one year
- Sexual Maturity: Attained at approximately one year
- Lifespan: Survives 10 to 12 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity
