False Bay West Coast #1: Otterly Clawless!
This cache is the 1st in a 7-cache FBWC series which will take you to some possibly less well-known parts of this wonderfully wild but still easily accessible coastline – and fill a few gaps between existing caches!
The cache, a camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden along this stretch of the coast adjacent to Murdoch Valley South – one of the southern suburbs of Simon’s Town – between Oatland Point and Rocklands Point.
To Reach the Cache Location:
a) if also doing DSS #4 hidden nearby or if continuing to FBWC #2 further south* (see note below): park at or near S 34 12.513 E 18 27.628, descend the steps, locate the signed small trail near S 34 12.525 E 18 27.659 and follow this down onto the beach. Then pick up the trail heading south along the shoreline in front of the houses and when this runs out, continue by boulder-hopping onwards to the cache location.
b) If doing as a one-off: park at or near S 34 12.594 E 18 27.689 and follow the small trail down to the cache location.
*If you are continuing to the FBWC #2 multi, you will need to pick up some info needed to find that cache en route to this cache @ S 34 12.554 E 18 27.696.
This is a stretch of the coast where, if you are in the right place at the right time, you may be lucky to spot a fascinating and elusive local resident . . .
The Cape (or African) Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) belongs to the weasel family (Mustelidae) is the 2nd largest freshwater otter species. It inhabits permanent (preferably unpolluted) water bodies throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. It is characterized by partly webbed and clawless feet - the name 'aonyx' means clawless, derived from the prefix a- (‘without’) and onyx (‘claw/hoof’).
There are 6 subspecies of which A.c. capensis is the one found here.
It has a chestnut-coloured thick, smooth fur with almost silky underbellies. It is characterized by white facial markings that extend downward towards its throat and chest areas. Paws are partially webbed with five fingers, but without opposable thumbs.
All lack claws except for digits 2, 3, and 4 of the hind feet. Its large skull is broad and flat, with a relatively small orbit and a short snout. Molars are large and flat, used for crushing of prey.
Males are slightly larger than females on average with adults being 113–163 cm long including their tails which are about 1/3 of the total and usually weighing 12–18 kg. It’s long, sinuous, agile body is well suited for a predominantly aquatic life. Normal lifespan is around 20 years.
They are found in a wide range of habitats from rainforests to open plains and even in semi-arid country.
Their only requirement is that they live near (preferably clean) water and they can be found occupying rivers, streams, reservoirs, lakes with clear water, swamps and streams, fish farms, canals and ditches, and also beaches, rocky shores, mangroves, and mudflats - wherever sufficient food is available. They will travel widely over unsuitable habitat to find new feeding grounds. In coastal areas they will forage equally in the sea and coastal freshwater marshes. They also like logs, branches, and loose foliage for shelter, shade, and great rolling opportunities.
Slow and rather clumsy on land, they build burrows in banks near water, allowing for easier food access and a quick escape from predators. In this False Bay area, they can be seen scavenging along beaches and rocks and hunting in shallow surf for mullet. They are diurnal and nocturnal being usually active during the early morning and the late afternoon, although they may hunt at any time. However, in urban areas, as they are shy, secretive and do not tolerate the close proximity of humans, they tend to be mainly nocturnal and lie up during the day in quiet, bushy areas.
Though mostly solitary, when prey is abundant it will live in neighbouring territories of family groups of up to 5 individuals, eg. a female with her offspring or, more rarely, a male and a female with their young. Each still having its own range within that territory, they mostly keep to themselves unless seeking a mate. Territories are marked using a pair of anal scent glands and each otter is very territorial over its particular range.
It spends its time swimming and foraging, returning to burrows (holts) for safety, cooling or a rubdown
using grasses and leaves. Mainly aquatic, their tails are used for locomotion and propel them through the water. They are also used for balance when walking or sitting upright.
Females produce litters of 2-5 young around early spring. Mating takes place in short periods throughout the rainy season in December. Afterwards, both males and females go their separate ways and return to their solitary lives once more. Young are raised solely by the females with gestation lasting around 2 months. Weaning occurs between 45-60 days old, with the young reaching full maturity at about 1 year old.
Diet is mainly water-dwelling creatures like crabs, fish, frogs and worms. They dive after prey to catch it, then swim to shore again, where they eat. Its large molars are adapted to crush shellfish but it will also prey on frogs, fish and insects.
The extremely reduced claws and webbing on its paws gives it incredible dexterity and their dexterous and sensitive fore-paws are used for searching and digging on the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers, picking up rocks and looking under logs. Extremely sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) are used as sensors in the water (especially if visibility is limited) to pick up the movements of potential prey.
Quick in the water and burrowing on land, it does not have many predators. Its greatest threat is the python, which will often lie in wait near or in the water. Other predators are crocodiles and fish eagles. If threatened, it utters a high-pitched scream to warn neighbouring otters and confuse the predator.
Its home environments can become very hot so to stay cool it spends time in the water and uses burrows
during the hottest part of the day. On the other hand, to stay warm in cold periods it depends on its thick fur. Guard hairs up to 25mm long cover the body, acting as insulation. Since the otter lacks an insulating layer of body fat, its only means of warmth is provided by its thick coat of fur.
Its most important threats are increasing human populations and the resulting habitat changes including: pollution of water systems, increased siltation and agricultural run-off.
It may also be hunted for its pelt and medicinal purposes in some areas and killed in others as a perceived competitor for fish, especially where rainbow trout has been introduced.
The world-famous Otter Trail in the Tsitsikamma National Park, established in 1868, is the oldest hiking trail in RSA. It traverses over 40km along the coastline between Storms River Mouth and Nature’s Valley, where these creatures (protected in the park) may be seen.
Recommended Links:
See here for a detailed scientific paper on the CCO and here for another geocache featuring the CCO which has some additional interesting info.
See here for an fascinating hour-long and well-illustrated presentation on CCOs based on 18 years of observations.
See here (wonderful 30 min documentary on a CCO family in Pringle Bay), and see short videos here (CCOs in Cape Town), here (CCO just south of Simon’s Town), here (CCO off Jager’s Walk, Fish Hoek, and here (a pair being called by whistling)