CLAWLESS OTTER Meaning and
Definition
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The Clawless Otter, scientifically referred to as Aonyx cinereus, is a semiaquatic mammal belonging to the family Mustelidae. It is mainly found in the freshwater ecosystems of Southeast Asia, including rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal mangroves. This elusive creature typically measures between 60 and 100 centimeters in length, with a tail comprising around one-third of its body length. It is characterized by a sleek, elongated body covered in dense, dark brown fur, which helps insulate it in water.
As the name implies, the Clawless Otter possesses unique physical attributes distinguishing it from other otter species. It has partially webbed digits and lacks the long, sharp claws usually found in otters. Instead, it has small, smooth claws better suited for swimming and digging, enabling it to navigate effortlessly through aquatic environments and capture prey with remarkable agility.
These otters are highly adaptable creatures, capable of thriving in various aquatic habitats. They are predominantly carnivorous, primarily feeding on fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and invertebrates, which they apprehend using their sensitive whiskers and dexterous forelimbs. Additionally, the Clawless Otter plays a vital ecological role by contributing to the regulation of aquatic populations, such as controlling fish populations that could otherwise become overwhelming.
Despite their critical ecological significance, Clawless Otters face several threats, primarily due to habitat loss, pollution, and unregulated hunting. Consequently, these otters are classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts and awareness campaigns are essential for protecting their habitats, mitigating human encroachment, and preventing further population decline of the fascinating and unique Clawless Otter species.
Common Misspellings for CLAWLESS OTTER
- xlawless otter
- vlawless otter
- flawless otter
- dlawless otter
- ckawless otter
- cpawless otter
- coawless otter
- clzwless otter
- clswless otter
- clwwless otter
- clqwless otter
- claqless otter
- claaless otter
- clasless otter
- claeless otter
- cla3less otter
- cla2less otter
- clawkess otter
- clawpess otter
- clawoess otter
Etymology of CLAWLESS OTTER
The etymology of the term "Clawless Otter" can be understood by analyzing the individual words that make up the term.
1. Clawless: The term "clawless" refers to the absence of claws. It can be broken down into "claw", which ultimately comes from Old English "clawu", meaning "claw" or "talon".
2. Otter: The term "otter" comes from the Old English word "oþerre", which is related to the Old High German word "otara" and the Old Norse word "otr". All of these words essentially refer to the aquatic mammal known as an otter.
By combining the words "clawless" and "otter", we arrive at the term "Clawless Otter", which describes a specific species of otter that lacks claws.
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