Driving over the causeway, crossing the Sand River, I am always on the lookout for the animals I have become accustomed to seeing in this pristine aquatic ecosystem. I scan the water for a crocodile which usually has its jaws agape, waiting for an unsuspecting fish to drift into its death-trap. I wait for the rustle of reeds as a large monitor lizard slips off a boulder after catching the first morning rays of sunshine. I glance up to see a Pied Kingfisher hovering patiently in mid-air just before it dives into the shallow water, only to splash back out with nothing. I then hear the familiar grunt and a loud hiss of water as a pod of hippopotami pop their heads out of the water and exhale sharply at my presence.
These are the usual faces that reside in the Sand River and that make crossing the causeway such a special time with one’s guests.
So it was of the utmost surprise to me when I crossed the river the other day expecting to see its usual residents and a large seal-like animal looked up at me and quickly disappeared into the water. I was shocked but immediately realised I had just seen a Cape Clawless Otter! This was a first for me, so you can imagine how excited I was.
However, despite my enthusiasm I didn’t know much about these secretive animals so I did some research.
First of all the Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) is a mammal that loves hunting in shallow water for fish, crabs, frogs, insects and even small mammals. The populations that live on the coast do differ somewhat to their landlocked cousins in behaviour patterns, but there is still a lot of overlap. Their ideal habitat is in dense foliage where they use shady cover for hunting and protection from predators. This habitat is one of the reasons why Cape Clawless Otters are so rarely seen at Londolozi but the other reason has to do with the time of day at which they are most active. Due to the hot Lowveld climate, otters prefer to lie up in their burrows (holes dug out from sandy banks) during the day and then go hunting early in the morning and late in the afternoon, making them rather crepuscular.
What surprised me the most about the Cape Clawless Otter was its size. Their total length can get up to 1.6m weighing between 10-21kg. This also struck Chris Goodman when he saw an otter for the first time at Londolozi. (Read about his experience here: Otter Joy )
The otter is perfectly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle. It doesn’t have a fat layer for insulation so its thick, furry coat is crucial for keeping itself warm during the cooler times of the year. Long, powerful tails are used as rudders and for powering through the water. Although they rely on sight for hunting a large proportion of their prey is found through feeling which means they thrive in water with poor visibility. They have long padded fingers which are ideal for digging in soft mud and feeling for crabs and other freshwater molluscs. Their long whiskers are sensory appendages called vibrissae which pick up on minute vibrations in the water indicating to the otter where a potential meal has just swum by.
Even though I was only able to watch this elusive animal for a few seconds I will not forget how awesome this sighting was. There is no doubt that from now on when I am on the causeway I will be on the lookout for not only the usual residents, but also a new face that is much more mysterious.
Wow! Amazing sighting Josh. Interesting information about the otter. A great read.
Thanks for the introduction to a brand new animal for me!
How exciting to see – and you got a decent shot of her!! Hope one of my mornings next month will be as exciting! Thanks!
A first for both of us….you seeing one and me not being aware that they were even there at Londolozi! Thanks!
Josh, wonderful blog – I have never seen cape clawless otter
The animal I most want to see in the world.
What a wonderful sighting – tell Alfie I shall now expect him and Terrence to find me one (along with a pangolin) when I come back in November! Oh, and a leopard hoisting a kill in a tree – still waiting to see that after 10 visits!
Lucky sighting- perhaps you’ll see it again. They’re so playful when with others, splashing, diving…..appreciate the information.
So unusual. One wonders how on earth it found its way to here without becoming some predators meal! And how many others there might be here and on adjacent reserves.
Gracious!! I don’t think I have even heard of the clawless otter. That must have been a cool moment. Wish we had been there. Victoria
Not surprisingly Neil and I have never seen a Clawless Otter. So we found the article above absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much, Josh! Wendy M
On my wish list ….
Interesting read.
Sounds like it was an amazing sighting! I remember reading the post when those otter photos were taken too.
Nice! Did not realise how large they are!!