Spotted-necked otters are
similar in appearance to other river otters but are distinguished
by the light-colored irregular markings on their throat and
chest and by their range, which is sub-Saharan Africa. Though
seldom seen, they are presumed to be fairly common across
their vast range. They tend to be more strictly aquatic than
other river otters.
Spotted-necked otters live in the rivers,
streams, lakes, and swamps of central Africa, with the
largest numbers found in the areas of Lake Victoria (Tanzania,
Uganda, Kenya) and Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia).
Male spotted-necked
otters grow to a length of 1.2 meters long (about 4 feet)
including the tail, with females being slightly smaller.
Fully grown specimens weigh 4-6.5 kg (9-14 lbs), and they
have a long, slender appearance.
The coat of the spotted-necked
otter is reddish brown to coffee color, and almost black
when wet. The irregular markings of white to light brown
on their throat, belly and chin give this species its name
and make it possible to identify individuals. Vibrissae
(whiskers) on the spotted-necked otter are smaller and
less apparent than those of other species of river otter.
Like
other otters, the spotted-necked river otter has a very
dense coat of soft fur, plus another layer of guard hair
fur. The fur traps air close to the skin of the otter,
keeping it warm in the water. It spends time each day grooming
its fur by rubbing against rocks, branches and grass.
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| Picture
of African Spotted-necked Otter, Lutra
maculicollis |
Image
#: 027996 |
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Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia/Canoidea
Family: Mustelidae/Mustelids
Genus: Lutra
Specific: maculicollis
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Spotted-necked
otters propel themselves in the water with their feet,
which feature webbing that extends to the tips of their
toes, and with their powerful tail. Their tail is round,
but with a slightly flattened underside. They can close
their ears and nostrils while underwater. Agile in the
water, they are somewhat clumsy on land and rarely venture
more than 10 meters from the water.
Spotted-necked otters
are diurnal in the great lakes of Africa, but nocturnal
where it is to their advantage. They primarily hunt by
sight, and so prefer clear waters. They catch prey with
their jaws and eat in the water. Their primary diet is
fish, but they also eat crabs, frogs, insects and shellfish.
When marshes and ponds dry up, frogs become easy prey and
are taken in greater quantities.
Spotted-necked otters
are preyed upon by crocodiles, pythons, and eagles. To
a certain extent, they compete with the Cape clawless otter
(Aonyx capensis) for resources, as they occupy an overlapping
range, but spotted-necked otters favor fish and small crabs,
while Cape clawless otters concentrate on large crabs.
Spotted-necked
otters are generally solitary, though they sometimes come
into contact with each other while foraging. Like most
river otters, they mark their territories with scent from
their anal glands and with spraint. Groups of spotted-necked
otters are typically family units of a mother and her pups.
Male otters have a larger range than do the females, and
their ranges may overlap those of several females. The
vocalization of the spotted-necked otter sounds like a "mew."
Spotted-necked
otters have litters of 1-4 pups. They are born in September,
can swim by November, and are weaned within 3 to 4 months
of birth. They are independent from their family group
at two years. If the first litter of pups in a season does
not survive, they can breed again.
Spotted-necked otters
are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Nevertheless,
they face the threat of habitat loss in many parts of their
range. Increased silt due to deforestation reduces water
quality, making foraging more difficult and reducing the
quantity of fish. Wetlands are increasingly being drained
for agriculture. Water pollution, overfishing, and hunting
are additional threats. Spotted-necked otters are hunted
for their pelts and for the bush meat trade.
Alternate
names: Speckle-throated Otter, Spotted necked Otter, Spot-necked
Otter, Loutre a Cou Tachete, Nutria de Cuello Manchado
© African spotted-necked otter information
assembled from on-line sources by Kevin
Miller on May 21,
2008 for Seapics.com.
http://www.torontozoo.com/Animals/details.asp?AnimalId=390
http://www.phoenixzoo.org/learn/animals/animal_detail.aspx?FACT_SHEET_ID=100033
http://www.otterjoy.com/otterinfo/lutra_maculicollis.html
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/living_species/default.asp?hab=3&hOri=0&inhab=531
http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=180 |
