The taxonomic status and the criteria to differentiate A. congicus from the quite similar Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) are reviewed. It is closely related to the cape clawless otter, so similar It was formerly recognized as a subspecies (Aonyx capensis congicus) of the African clawless otter. completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and possibly Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Uganda. Across much of their range they are sympatric with Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) and hairy-nosed otters (Lutra sumatrana), and there is clear evidence of niche separation between the species. The Congo Clawless Otter's scientific name is Aonyx Adults range in length from 4-5 Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. 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. The generic name, Water courses are being polluted with pesticides from plantations and other intensive agriculture, and heavy metals, affecting the gill-feeders on which this species depends, and interfering directly with otter physiology. The African Clawless Otter is the second largest of all freshwater species. The only areas in which these animals are today known to be common are Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Kedah, in the western forests and southern marshes of Thailand, and in the Western Ghats of India where it appears to be the most common species of otter. This is believed to be an adaptable species in modified landscapes. Due to their amphibious lifestyle, these otters are both excellent swimmers and skilled explorers of the shores (Kingdon, 1982). (Otter Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. It has recently been recorded from Cross River State in southeastern Nigeria (Rowe-Rowe 1995). Their front paws are Other articles where African clawless otter is discussed: otter: Freshwater otters: African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) and Congo clawless otters (A. congicus or A. capensis congicus) occupy murky waterways and thus rely more on manual dexterity than on vision to obtain food (mostly crabs) from under rocks. Also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is the second-largest freshwater species of otter.They can be found near permanent bodies of water in savannahs and lowland forests. very similar to human hands. Prey biomass is also being reduced by overexploitation, and in some places, the vast aquaculture industry regards otters as pests and persecutes them directly. They are characterized by partly webbed and clawless feet, from which their name is derive… Among the four African otter species, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is the least known due to the remoteness of its Central African equatorial rainforest range. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. The smallest of the world’s otters, about 0.9 m long, weighing around 5 kg, this otter lives in extended family groups around a breeding alpha pair. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. On January 17th 2002 Mount Nyiragongo, j… its fur. Congolese clawless otters are found only on the African continent: from southeastern Nigeria and Gabon to Uganda and Burundi in central Africa. Outwardly, the Congolese otter is similar to another clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), although it is a larger, slimmer and powerfully folded otter. Little else is known Source: Padma K de Silva, IUCN/SSC Asian Coordinator. Its short fur (providing less insulation) and the abbreviated webbing of its feet make the Congo Clawless Otter the least adapted otter for life in the water. "not-clawed", refers to this otter species' clawless forelimbs. 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. Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. Habitat protection and inter-population corridors need to be established. Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. Try. Rainforest . The Congo 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. 6. This species used to be known as Amblonyx cinereus, and before that as Aonyx cinerea. in length, weighing 30-70lbs. Evaluators: Conroy, J. of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Congo Clawless Otters have a body length between 73 and 95 cms (29 - 37 inches), a tail length between 41 and 67 cms (16 - 26 inches) and they weigh between 10 and 16 kgs (22 - 35 lbs). In fact, four species are already tagged as ‘Near Threatened’ – African Clawless Otter, Congo Clawless Otter, Neotropical Otter and Spotted-Necked Otter. Other mustelids include ferrets and mink. Least adapted of all otters to aquatic way of life and has short fur providing less insulation. In mountainous areas, they frequent swift-flowing forest streams with rocks and boulders. Their preferred food is crustaceans and molluscs. It does spend a lot of time in the water, … Little is known about this otter, which is the least studied of the African species. Nearly as large as the African clawless otter but definitely lighter and more slender, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) was thought to be a subspecies of the former African clawless otter until recently. These otters are known to be highly elusive in disturbed landscapes, and this could potentially contribute to the perception of a decline in population. Year Assessed: 2015 As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. They use their incredibly dexterous deforestation, occurring throughout Africa. 1. Saved by Corinne Gonnin-Le Guillou. basin directly west to the Atlantic coast of Africa. The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. In contrast to the Cape Clawless, the Congo Clawless otter has a more slender head and neck … something quite obvious after you spend several hours staring at pictures of both species. This species range stretches from the Congo River The taxonomic status and the criteria to differentiate A. congicus from the quite similar Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) are reviewed. Red List Category: VU (Vulnerable), population decreasing The impact of protection measures on livelihoods needs to be assessed and answered. They have revealed a lot more information on behaviour and are acting as ambassadors to encourage otter conservation. Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus) Closely related to African Clawless Otter and very similar, the Congo Clawless Otter has silver tips to the end of hairs on the neck and head and dark patches of fur between the eyes and nostrils. They were formerly found in Sri Lanka, but their current status there is unknown. central Africa", which is its primary range. Michael Noonan, PhD. cape clawless otter, the Congo clawless otter was once hunted for Adults usually weigh between 15 to 25 kg. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. DNA work by Koepfli & Wayne (1998 & 2003) indicated that the Asian small-clawed otter is a sister species to the African clawless and Congo clawless otters. Like most the Among the four African otter species, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is the least known due to the remoteness of its Central African equatorial rainforest range. Clawless otters have slender, serpentine bodies with dense, luxuriou… Congo clawless otter. result in the decline of this species, which is already rare. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas, where they are replaced by the related Congo clawless otter(Aonyx congicus). African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) images and facts - this gallery provides an up-close look through stock photos of this unique and special animal, the African clawless otter. Reptiles. Habitat Congo Clawless Otters can be found in the small swamps, streams and ponds of the dense rainforests in the Congo Basin, Africa. They are the least aquatic of all the otters. behavior and reproduction may be assumed. The Congo Clawless Otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora. Meanwhile, five species are declared endangered – Sea Otter, Marine Otter, South American River Otter, Hairy-Nosed Otter and Giant Otter. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. The Congo clawless otter is a larger species with a total length of 118 to 156 cm, with 40 to 59 cm of it being the tail. As the name suggests, these Otters don’t have claws. direct threats need to be better understood, Habitat protection and inter-population corridors need to be established, Research on all aspects of this species biology and ecology is needed, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Virtual Zoo. Among the four African otter species, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is the least known due to the remoteness of its Central African equatorial rainforest range. Their head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm. These otters are extremely manually dextrous, using their forepaws to feel for molluscs and crustaceans in rocks, vegetation and mud. These otters are extremely dextrous, using their forepaws to feel for molluscs and crustaceans in rocks, vegetation and mud. The Congo Clawless otter occurs in rain forests and lowland swamps of the Congo river basin and the extreme southwest of the Central African Republic; as well as the forests and wetland areas of Rwanda, Burundi, and southwestern Uganda. They weigh be­tween 10 and 22 kg. Congo clawless otters are characterized by only partial webbing (between the toes of their back feet and no webbing on their front feet), and small, blunt, peg-like claws. Carnivora. They are the least aquatic of all otters. The main threat throughout Asia is habitat destruction because of deforestation (loss of the smaller hill streams), agriculture (especially tea and coffee plantations in India, draining of peat swamp forests, and destruction of coastal mangroves for aquaculture) and settlement. A population which was previously thought to be isolated, exists in the hill ranges of the Western Ghats, and more recently they have been reported from protected areas in the Eastern Ghats which might better explain their distribution in South India. Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water, with a good food supply, and moderate to low bankside vegetation. otters lack claws on all digits, with exception of the second, third paws to grab prey such as mollusks and crustaceans. congica. The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus), also known as the Cameroon clawless otter, is species of clawless otter in the family Mustelidae. Aadrean, Indonesia: Studies on diet, interactions with humans and threats including the pet trade in Indonesia. Their front feet are handlike and partially webbed. Habitat loss will By Helene Jacques, Nicole Duplaix and Guillaume Chapron. Habitat: The Congo Clawless Otter lives in wetlands, streams, rivers, and shallow lake margins or ponds in the rainforest. Distribution 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. It occurs in any large area of suitable habitat to the south of the Sahara, except the Congo Basin. Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus) Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus) A lot more has been learned since two cubs came into care in Kikongo, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus), also known as the Cameroon clawless otter, is a species of clawless otter in the family Mustelidae. The Cameroon clawless otter (Aonyx capensis congicus) is a subspecies of the African clawless otter in the family Mustelidae. Others claim that the Congo clawless otter is a valid… Nearly as large as the Cape clawless otter but definitely lighter and more slender, the Congo clawless otter was thought to be a subspecies of the former Cape clawless otter until recently. Assessor: Hussain, S.A. & de Silva, P.K. clawless otter is nocturnal and solitary. However, this species is currently threatened by the The status of the Congo clawless otter remains a subject of debate, however, with most researchers considering the animal to be a subspecies of the African small-clawed otter (Aonyx capensis) and giving it the taxonomic name A. capensis congicus. S. A. Hussain, India: Studies on the range and habitat utilisation of small-clawed otter in South India. 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