Found this late afternoon, were some calling cards left on the foredecks of our yacht, new to me but a marina regular says they have been visiting the marina for about two years?
The Cape Clawless Otter's scientific name is Aonyx capensis. The generic name, aonyx, which means "not-clawed", refers to this otter species' clawless forelimbs. The specific name, capensis, means "belonging to the Cape Province area of South Africa", which is its primary range, though it lives throughout southern and central Africa. The Cape Clawless Otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora. Other mustelids include ferrets and mink.
Generally colored brown with white underbellies, cape clawless otters lack claws on all digits, with exception of the third and fourth digits of the hindlimbs. Adults range in length from 4-5 in length, weighing 30-70lbs.
Habitat/Diet
This species range extends across the African continent, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. A variety of habitats are preferred, ranging from semi-arid, open plains to rainforests. Their front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands. They use their incredibly dexterous paws to grab prey such as mollusks and crustaceans and they may even catch and eat an octopus from time to time.
Photo by M Noonan, many thanks for use of your picture.
I could tell more than one had called and had rummaged around the cockpit area, pulling wires and various ropes out of their positions. Cleaning up after them was a hose pipe and scrubbing brush afair, it was all weed based and I saw little sign of any fish remains or shellfish either.
We have now had two more visits, probably from just one smaller fellow, I am considering a solar powered light left in the cockpit that will switch itself on and off with the change in the light, my idea is the night light will keep the Otters away?
Roy
Taxonomy/DescriptionThe Cape Clawless Otter's scientific name is Aonyx capensis. The generic name, aonyx, which means "not-clawed", refers to this otter species' clawless forelimbs. The specific name, capensis, means "belonging to the Cape Province area of South Africa", which is its primary range, though it lives throughout southern and central Africa. The Cape Clawless Otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora. Other mustelids include ferrets and mink.
Generally colored brown with white underbellies, cape clawless otters lack claws on all digits, with exception of the third and fourth digits of the hindlimbs. Adults range in length from 4-5 in length, weighing 30-70lbs.
Habitat/Diet
This species range extends across the African continent, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. A variety of habitats are preferred, ranging from semi-arid, open plains to rainforests. Their front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands. They use their incredibly dexterous paws to grab prey such as mollusks and crustaceans and they may even catch and eat an octopus from time to time.
