Clawless Otters

Aonyx sp.

Clawless otters are mustelids that forage in and around the water. Like river otters, they are capable swimmers. Clawless otters have particularly dextrous forepaws which they use to search for prey by reaching into mud and under rocks. Most of its food is caught in its hands rather than by biting. Their diet consists primarily of crabs, crayfish, snails, clams, and frogs. Clawless otters live in small groups of closely related individuals, which travel and forage together.

The Asian clawless otters are sometimes tamed by Malay fishermen to catch fish. They make charming, though energetic and destructive, pets.

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