26/07/2026
Happy ! 𦦠The Cape or African clawless otter (ππ°π―πΊπΉ π€π’π±π¦π―π΄πͺπ΄) is the third largest otter species in the world and occurs in much of sub-Saharan Africa. They are mainly aquatic and dependant on permanent fresh water β although we have photographed them on camera traps surprising distances away from obvious streams and ponds. The absence of claws and the reduced webbing on its paws gives this species βfinger-likeβ digits and incredible dexterity. Cape clawless otters are predominantly crepuscular, meaning they are mostly active at dawn and dusk. They eat a variety of prey items, including fish, crabs, frogs, insects and combinations thereof.
The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with the biggest factor being habitat loss and degradation due to draining of wetlands, stripping of riverbank vegetation, siltation, bush clearing, deforestation, overgrazing, and expansion of human settlements.
πΈ A charming otter makes its way past one of our Cape Leopard Trust camera traps in the Cederberg
IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group | African Otter Network |International Otter Survival Fund | UK Wild Otter Trust | In Otter News
