﻿E. LÖNNBERG, ON THE CLAWLESS OTTER OF CENTRAL APRICA. 7 



the insertion of muscles. It is thiis axiomatic that the muscles 

 which liave obtained larger areas for insertion and stouter 

 fulcra to rely upon, have become enlarged and stronger 

 themselves. This is evidently the case not only with those 

 connected with the movements of the jaws, for instance 

 musculus temporalis (increased thickness of proc. coronoideus , 

 increased area for insertion on the lateral side of the mand- 

 ible, stouter zygomatic arch, and crista sagitialis), m. masseter 

 (enlarged angular portion of mandible, stouter zygomatic arch 

 etc), m. pterygoidei (enlarged processus pterygoidei), m. digas- 

 tricus (enlarged paroccipital processes) etc, but also with 

 muscles of the occipital region and the neck (greater cristce 

 lambdoidecB and increased area of insertion all över the occiput 

 and its different parts). 



But such a differencs in structure in two otherwise closely 

 related subspecies must have its cause in a different mode 

 of life, and most probably in different food and feeding habits. 

 For the purpose of learning something concerning the habits 

 of the Clawless otter of Rhodesia I have consulted Mr. A. 

 Sandberg who has kindly given the following information 

 about the same : »It is much less aquatic than its relative, 

 the Spotted-necked otter which is found in the same water 

 courses. I have most often found the Gawless otter on land 

 where it seeks a hiding place among high grass and reeds, 

 often a good way from water. It swims with less agility 

 than the other otter and cannot keep itself below the surface 

 for a longer time than one, hardly two minutes. When pursued 

 in deep water it must therefore often come to the surface, 

 and makes tlien a motion almost similar to that of a dolphin 

 showing the back when diving again. Hotly pursued, however, 

 it always runs ashore and takes its refuge in some thicket, 

 grass, or reeds. At several opportunities I have shot this 

 otter for my pointer dog. Fully convinced, as I was, that 

 the object which drew the attention of my pointer would be 

 guineafow] or francolins my expectations have been defeated 

 when a Clawless otter has rushed up close at my feet.» 



;>Its food consists mostly of crabs. I have found eggshells 

 and remains of young birds, ducklings etc. in its stomach 

 during the season for the propagation of the birds. Shells of 

 molluscs are often found in the ventricle of this Otter. I 

 have not myself seen any traces of fish-remains in any of the 



