Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 22.9 years (captivity)
Observations: One captive specimen lived 22.9 years (Richard Weigl 2005).
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Morphology
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The spotted-necked otter can be recognized by the brown and white spotting on the throat and underside. The rest of the body color ranges from a reddish brown to a chocolate brown. These otters are sleek and slender. They are characterized by strongly webbed toes (with the webbing going all the way to the tips of the digits), well developed claws, and long tails. Their length ranges from 85-105 cm. Sexual dimorphism is prevalent; females are shorter, lighter, and less muscular than males.
Range mass: 0 to 0 kg.
Average mass: 4 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Habitat
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These otters are aquatic and require permanent and continuous waterways. They prefer clear water with rocks. They are found in lakes, swamps, rivers, and may be found in mountain streams at higher elevations. They are absent in turbid rivers and shallow alkaline lakes. They live in dens, which are found near these sources of water.
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Distribution
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Hydrictis maculicollis (spotted-necked otter) is found in central Africa south of 10 degrees N latitude. They are abundant in both Lake Victoria and the Lakes Tangangyika, and also may be found in the moister parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They are not found in the far west, southwest, northeast, or east regions of Africa.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Trophic Strategy
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The preferential feeding time for this otter is either 2 to 3 hours before dusk or after dawn. They have, however, been known to feed at all times of the day. Their main food source is fish, although their diet includes both invertebrates and vertebrates. Frogs, crabs, molluscs, aquatic insects, and larvae are some of the items included in their diets.
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Benefits
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The otter's fur is highly prized, being used as a cure for eye and/or nose infections.
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Behavior
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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Conservation Status
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The spotted-necked otters are in decline due to changes in their environment and human interference. One problem is the increased use of nylon fishing nets, in which the otters get tangled in and die. Erosion of soil near the source of the rivers is also a threat. Fish-farmers and fur-trappers are also playing a part in the decline of the spotted-necked otter.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Reproduction
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The spotted-necked otter is thought to breed seasonally. They have a two month gestation period and typically give birth to two to three cubs in September. The females do not begin reproducing until they have reached two years of age.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
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- Soderman, S. 2000. "Hydrictis maculicollis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrictis_maculicollis.html
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- Sarah Soderman, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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- Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Biology
provided by Arkive
With webbed feet making trips onto land somewhat awkward, the spot-necked otter, unlike the clawless otters, rarely ventures more than ten metres from water (2) (6). Instead, most of the daytime, when this otter is most active, is spent in shallow waters where fish are abundant. Fish comprise the bulk of the spot-necked otters' prey, with species of cichlid, barbel and catfish being particular favourites. Other prey such as crabs, frogs and insects are only important when fish are scarce, except in South Africa where these groups form a much more significant component of its diet (2). Although spot-necked otters sometimes form large groups of up to 20, individuals normally hunt for food alone (2) (5) (6). Whilst hunting, this otter performs short, agile dives from the surface, twisting and turning energetically to catch prey with its mouth, which is then eaten in the water or taken to the shore (2).
The spot-necked otter is not territorial, but like other otter species it tends to urinate and defecate in a regular place, such as a rock just above the waters' surface. During the night, when this species is largely inactive, it will take shelter in concealed places such as dense vegetation, rock cavities or dens dug into the shore bank (2).
Breeding takes place at different times of the year across the spot-necked otters' range, with between one and three cubs born after a gestation period of around three months (2) (3). The young are born blind and remain with their mother, who provides all the parental care, for up to a year (2)
Conservation
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Despite current concerns, the spot-necked otter still has a colossal range and the rate of population decline is not considered to be too severe. Furthermore, it is known to be present in a number of protected areas across its range. Consequently, this otter is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (1). Nonetheless, in order to prevent its conservation status from becoming more critical, existing legislation, which protects the spot-necked otter from exploitation, needs to be enforced and greater awareness needs to be fostered amongst local communities (5).
Description
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The spot-necked otter owes its name to the mottled blotches of creamy-white markings typically visible on its neck and chest (2) (5). Dense, water-repellent fur, ranging in colour from chocolate to reddish brown, covers its long, sinuous body (2) (5) (6). More aquatic than other African otters, this species has fully webbed paws with sharp, well-developed claws. Its short, broad muzzle conceals relatively small teeth, adapted for catching fish rather than the hardy crustaceans favoured by the clawless otters (Aonyx sp.) (2) (5). The long, fully-haired tail tapers to a point and is horizontally flattened (3) (5).
Habitat
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Permanent sources of unpolluted freshwater with high densities of fish are necessary to support spot-necked otters. Areas of open water such as large lakes, rivers and swamps are preferred and dense marginal vegetation such as reeds, grass and bushes is important for cover (1) (5).
Range
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The spot-necked otter has a sub-Saharan distribution stretching from Guinea Bissau in the west to south-west Ethiopia in the east, and southwards as far as eastern South Africa (1). Although present in most countries within this large geographic area, it is notably absent from large parts of Southern Africa (1) (5).
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (4).
Threats
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Unfortunately, throughout its range the population of spot-necked otters is declining as a consequence of a broad range of human activities (1) (5). The foremost of these are pollution and general degradation of freshwater habitats associated with agriculture. In parts of its range the spot-necked otter is also persecuted for food and fur or even just because it is considered a competitor for fish (1) (2) (5). Furthermore, in large water bodies such as Lake Victoria, introduced alien fish may be out-competing the spot-necked otter for the smaller indigenous fish on which it depends (1) (5).
Spotted-necked otter
provided by wikipedia EN
The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), or speckle-throated otter, is an otter native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
Skull of a spotted-neck otter
The spotted-necked otter is usually chocolate to reddish brown and marked with creamy or white blotches over the chest and throat. The head is broad with a short muzzle, small rounded ears, and a hairless nose pad. The teeth are adapted for consuming fish, with large sharp upper canine teeth, curved lower canines, and sharp carnassial teeth. The jaws are similarly adapted, with the mandibular fossa fitting so snugly into the condyle on the lower jaw that the latter cannot move sideways, making it easier to capture and hold fish. It is a relatively small species, with males measuring 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) from nose to rump, and weighing 5.7 to 6.5 kg (13 to 14 lb), while females are 57 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in) and 3.0 to 4.7 kg (6.6 to 10.4 lb). The tail is long and muscular, measuring 39 to 44 cm (15 to 17 in) in both sexes. It is sleek and has webbed paws. Females have two pairs of teats, and while males have a large scrotum, the penis is hidden beneath the skin, to reduce drag while swimming.[3]
Up to five subspecies have previously been identified, these most likely represent a natural variation in appearance between individuals, and no subspecies are currently recognised.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The spotted-necked otter inhabits lakes and larger rivers throughout much of Africa south of 10°N. It is common in Lake Victoria and across Zambia, but is absent in the Zambezi below Victoria Falls, Zambia.[4] It does not venture into salt water.[3]
Behavior and ecology
The spotted-necked otter is very vocal, uttering high, thin whistles and rapid, shrill chatters.[5] It sometimes lives in family groups, but appears to be social only under certain conditions. Males and females are separated for at least part of the year.[4] They normally hunt alone, except when mothers are training their young, and are not territorial, sheltering through the night in short burrows, rock crevices, or patches of dense vegetation. On land, they travel mainly over regular paths, and rarely move more than 10 m (33 ft) from river or lake banks.[3] Both mark these paths by "sprainting" sites, in which they habitually defecate and urinate.[6]
The spotted-necked otter is diurnal and appears to hunt entirely by sight using short dives of less than 20 seconds each in clear water with good visibility.[3] It carries larger prey ashore, but eats smaller prey while treading water.[6] It primarily eats fish, typically less than 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, but also frogs and small crustaceans, especially when fish is in short supply.[6]
The female bears a litter of up to three young after a gestation period around two months. The young are born blind and helpless, and the mother cares for them for almost a year.[5][3]
Known predators of the spotted-necked otter include lions, crocodiles and African fish eagles.[3]
Conservation
The spotted-necked otter is in decline, mostly due to habitat destruction and pollution of its clear-water habitats. It is hunted as bushmeat.[2]
References
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^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
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^ a b c Reed-Smith, J.; Jacques, H.; Somers, M.J. (2015). "Hydrictis maculicollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T12420A21936042. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12420A21936042.en. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
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^ a b c d e f g Larivière, S. (2002). "Lutra maculicollis" (PDF). Mammalian Species. 712: 1–6. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2002)712<0001:LM>2.0.CO;2. S2CID 198968980.
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^ a b Estes, R. D., ed. (1992). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals : Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. University of California Press. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-520-08085-0.
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^ a b Procter, J. (1963). "A contribution to the natural history of the spotted-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis Lichtenstein) in Tanganyika". East African Wildlife Journal. 1 (1): 93–102. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1963.tb00180.x.
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^ a b c Kruuk, H. & Goudswaard, P.C. (1990). "Effects of changes in fish populations in Lake Victoria on the food of otters (Lutra maculicollis Schinz and Aonyx capensis Lichtenstein)". African Journal of Ecology. 28 (4): 322–329. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1990.tb01167.x.
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Spotted-necked otter: Brief Summary
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The spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), or speckle-throated otter, is an otter native to sub-Saharan Africa.
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