Speckle-throated Otter
Encyclopedia
The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), or speckle-throated otter, is an otter native to sub-Saharan Africa
. It is a smallish otter 95-105 cm (37-42 in) long, including the tail, and weighing 3 to 6.5 kg (6.6-14.3 lbs). Like other otters it is sleek and has webbed paws for swimming. Its fur
is deep brown and marked with light spots around its throat.
. No evidence of Hydrictis maculicollis venturing into salt water.
, and cares for them for almost a year.
and pollution of its clear-water habitats. It is hunted as bushmeat
.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
. It is a smallish otter 95-105 cm (37-42 in) long, including the tail, and weighing 3 to 6.5 kg (6.6-14.3 lbs). Like other otters it is sleek and has webbed paws for swimming. Its fur
Fur
Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
is deep brown and marked with light spots around its throat.
Distribution
Africa south of 10 degrees N. Spotted-necked otters are found in lakes, larger rivers and common in Lake Victoria and across Zambia, but for some unexplained reason often absent from what appears to be suitable habitat such as the lakes and rivers of East Africa and the Zambezi below Victoria fallsVictoria Falls
The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.-Introduction:...
. No evidence of Hydrictis maculicollis venturing into salt water.
Ecology
The spotted-necked otter hunts for fish and crustaceans in rivers and lakes. A visual hunter, it stays in clear water with good visibility. It is very vocal, uttering high, thin whistles. The female bears a litter of about three young in an underground burrowBurrow
A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of shelter against predation and exposure to the elements, so the burrowing way of life is quite popular among the...
, and cares for them for almost a year.
Social organisation
The otters are sometimes found in family groups, but appears to be social only under certain conditions. Males and females are separated for at least part of the year.Predatory and feeding behavior
Spotted-necked otters appear to hunt entirely by sight, capturing fish, snails and small crustations. Larger prey items are carried ashore while smaller items are eaten while treading water. They are known to use rocks to smash open shells. This rudimentary use of tools speaks volumes about the intelligence of the otter.Vulnerability
The spotted-necked otter is in decline, mostly due to habitat destructionHabitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
and pollution of its clear-water habitats. It is hunted as bushmeat
Bushmeat
Bushmeat initially referred to the hunting of wild animals in West and Central Africa and is a calque from the French viande de brousse. Today the term is commonly used for meat of terrestrial wild animals, killed for subsistence or commercial purposes throughout the humid tropics of the Americas,...
.