Page 24 - World of Animals - Issue #33

Otters of the world

African clawless otters

are expert fishers

However good you think you are at fishing,
these creatures would put you to shame
Otters are known for their playful nature and the
African clawless otter is no exception. The young

spend a large portion of their day play fighting on the
riverbanks, sliding on rocks and playing fetch with one
another using small pebbles.
When they aren’t playing, they spend time searching
for food and almost all of their hunting is done in
shallow water. Diving below the surface, they use their
forefeet to search for crabs and other crustaceans
that may be hiding beneath rocks on the riverbed.
Clutching prey in their paws, using them in much the
same way we use our hands, they bring their meal to
the surface. Small crabs are eaten upright, while they
lie down on their back to consume larger crabs. Once

they’ve finished, they spend some time on land and
dip their paws into the river to clean their face.

AFRICAN CLAWLESS
OTTER
Aonyx capensis
Class Mammalia

Territory Africa

Diet Crabs, fish, frogs, worms
Lifespan 12 years
Adult weight 12-21kg (24-
26lb)
Conservation status
NEAR THREATENED

An animal with a

shocking ability

CONGO CLAWLESS A talent to elusively evade fishing nets

OTTER has led to some superstitious beliefs
Aonyx congicus
Class Mammalia Like many other otters, the Congo clawless otter
(also known as the Cameroon clawless otter)
is a victim of hunting. It’s very hard to catch
an otter, but this doesn’t stop people trying.
Territory Congo, Cameroon, Their thick smooth fur is sought after and
Gabon
Diet Invertebrates, frogs, eggs they are hunted for their pelt. In Congo and
Lifespan 10-15 years Cameroon it’s not uncommon to hunt otters
Adult weight 14-34kg (31- for bushmeat while in Gabon this almost never
75lb)
Conservation status happens. This is due to the belief that otters
are dangerous creatures with the ability to
produce an electric shock when speared. The
NEAR THREATENED pelt is thought to be magical and will make the
wearer invisible and pass enemies undetected.

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