NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



otherwise changed. We have an interesting in- 

 stance in the Cape or Clawless Otter, which has 

 lost the claws of its fore feet ; and even on the 

 hind feet the claws are missing on the outer toes, 

 and only vestiges remain on the other ones. Pits 

 mark the spots where the claws once grew. In 

 addition, this otter has no webs between its toes — 

 only vestiges remain of what was once, no doubt, 

 a fully webbed foot. 



The disappearance of the claws and webs, and 

 the heavy, clumsy, broad-headed appearance of this 

 animal, leave little or no doubt that it is slowly but 

 surely abandoning an aquatic existence, and becoming 

 a terrestrial animal. Indeed, its habits are already 

 as much those of a land as an aquatic creature. 



In localities which afford an abundance of cover, 

 this otter is often found half a mile or more from 

 water. I have never, however, met with it very 

 far from water except in situations where it could 

 beat a retreat to the river bank under cover of long 

 grass or scrub. In the drier parts of South Africa, 

 where the rainfall is scanty, the farmers accumulate 

 water in great dams. Although there is, as a rule, 

 little or no food for them in these dams, yet these 

 animals may frequently be seen disporting them- 

 selves in the water on moonlight nights. In these 

 instances they have taken terrestrial habits, and 

 merely visit the water for a frolic and a drink. 



In India and neighbouring countries and islands, 

 another species of clawless otter occurs, but it is 



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