It inhabits permanent water bodies in savannah and lowland forest areas through most of sub-Saharan Africa.

The earliest known species of otter, Potamotherium valetoni, occurred in the upper Oligocene of Europe: A. capensis first appears in the fossil record during the Pleistocene.

African clawless otters can be found anywhere from open coastal plains, to semiarid regions, to densely forested areas.

Slow and rather clumsy on land, they build burrows in banks near water, allowing for easier food access and a quick escape from predators.

In the False Bay area of the Cape Peninsula, they have been observed scavenging along beaches and rocks and hunting in shallow surf for mullet.

Though mostly solitary animals, African clawless otters will live in neighboring territories of family groups of up to five individuals.

Weaning takes place between 45 and 60 days, with the young reaching full maturity around one year of age.

The diet of Aonyx capensis primarily includes water-dwelling animals, such as crabs, fish, frogs and worms.

Their fore paws come in handy as searching devices and are great tools for digging on the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers, picking up rocks and looking under logs.

Extremely sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) are used as sensors in the water to pick up the movements of potential prey.

Staying cool means spending time in the water, and using burrows as a way to escape the highest temperatures of the day.

Since the otter lacks an insulating layer of body fat, its only means of warmth is provided by its thick coat of fur.