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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