The Congo Clawless otter is listed by the IUCN Red List as a species of least concern, however little is known about its population tread. It was originally thought to be, and at times still described as, a subspecies of the African/Cape Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis).
Congo Clawless inhabits the rainforests and swamps within the Congo River basin (see map below). As mentioned during African Spotted-necked otter month in May, Congo Clawless otter habitat overlaps some with Spotted-necked otters as Spotted-necks are present in the Congo basin as well.
Per the IUCN Red List, Congo Clawless otters are not considered to have major threats at this point; however, they still face habitat loss and are hunted for bushmeat and their skins.
Some common names include: Cameroon Clawless, Small-toothed Clawless and Zaire Clawless otter. The official taxonomic listing is: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Vertebrata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Aonyx; Species: Congicus.
Range map courtesy www.iucnredlist.org
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