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Fauna listed on CITES Appendix IIIUCN Red List near threatened speciesMammals described in 1835Mammals of Sub-Saharan Africa

Spotted-necked otter

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A spotted-necked otter swimming in its natural habitat.

The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), or speckle-throated otter, is an otter native to sub-Saharan Africa. This animal is known for its distinctive spotted neck and is one of the largest otter species in Africa. Spotted-necked otters are excellent swimmers and are often found near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

These otters have a playful nature and enjoy swimming, diving, and catching fish. They are important to their ecosystems because they help control fish populations and bring nutrients when they move between water and land. With their clever hunting skills and strong family bonds, spotted-necked otters are fascinating creatures that help keep their habitats healthy.

Description

Skull of a spotted-neck otter

The spotted-necked otter has chocolate to reddish brown fur with creamy or white blotches on its chest and throat. It has a broad head, small rounded ears, and a hairless nose pad. This otter's teeth and jaws are specially adapted for catching and holding fish.

Males of this otter species measure about 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) from nose to rump and weigh between 5.7 to 6.5 kg (13 to 14 lb). Females are smaller, measuring 57 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in) and weighing 3.0 to 4.7 kg (6.6 to 10.4 lb). Both males and females have long, muscular tails and webbed paws that help them swim well.

Distribution and habitat

The spotted-necked otter lives in lakes and big rivers across much of Africa south of 10°N. You can often find them in Lake Victoria and in Zambia, though they are not seen in the Zambezi river below Victoria Falls, Zambia. These otters prefer fresh water and do not go into salt water.

Behavior and ecology

The spotted-necked otter is very vocal, making high-pitched whistles and chatters. These otters sometimes live in family groups, but they are only social under certain conditions. Males and females stay apart for part of the year. They usually hunt alone, except when mothers are teaching their young, and they are not territorial. At night, they rest in short burrows, rock crevices, or dense vegetation. On land, they travel along set paths, rarely going more than 10 meters from river or lake banks.

These otters are active during the day and hunt by sight, making quick dives in clear water. They mainly eat fish smaller than 20 centimeters, but also eat frogs and small crustaceans when fish are scarce. After a gestation period of about two months, a female gives birth to up to three young. The babies are born blind and helpless, and their mother cares for them for nearly a year. Predators of the spotted-necked otter include lions, Nile crocodiles, and African fish eagles.

Main article: diurnal

Main article: gestation

Conservation

The spotted-necked otter's population is decreasing. This is mainly because its homes are being destroyed and its clean water habitats are becoming polluted. Sadly, these otters are also sometimes hunted for food.

Images

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Scientific diagrams showing different views of an ancient animal skull, helpful for learning about prehistoric creatures.
An artist's drawing of Chamitataxus avitus, an ancient badger that lived millions of years ago in what is now New Mexico.
A painted illustration of a sable, a small wild mammal known for its beautiful fur.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Spotted-necked otter, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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