The Thinker

Photo by Glen and Rita Chapman, via the IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group - they write:

Deep in the rivers of Central Africa, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) does something few otters dare: it forages by touch, not by sight.

With fingers more like ours than most other otters, it feels its way through the mud for hidden prey - a perfect adaptation to the murky forest waters where visibility can drop to zero. Its unwebbed digits, shorter claws and frosted mask give it an unmistakable look and a serious edge in the dark.

However, Aonyx congicus still remains almost invisible to science. Few confirmed photos exist, and its population trends are a mystery. What do we know? It’s Near Threatened, its habit is shrinking, and understanding its ecology could reshape how we protect Africa’s freshwater systems.