spotted-necked otter

Hydrictis maculicollis

The spotted-necked otter is a playful and curious animal that loves to swim! With its beautiful spotted neck, it can often be seen diving and playing in rivers and lakes.

Lebensraum: Wetlands

Aussehen

The spotted-necked otter has sleek, dark brown to reddish-brown fur with a paler underside, and distinctive white or cream-colored spots and blotches on its throat and neck. It possesses a short, blunt snout, setting it apart from other longer-snouted otter species. Its overall appearance is streamlined for aquatic life.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseMammaliaOrdnungCarnivoraFamilieMustelidaeGattungHydrictis

spotted-necked otter

Kategorie

Säugetiere

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

2/5 · Gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Sometimes, entire otter families will share a single den, making their homes very cozy!

Spotted-necked otters communicate using chirps, whistles, and growls to chat with each other!

These clever otters often hunt together, working as a team to catch slippery fish prey!

They often slide down muddy banks into water, creating their own natural waterslides for fun!

Besondere Fähigkeiten

The spotted-necked otter can navigate murky waters because of its sensitive whiskers that detect prey movement, helping them hunt.

Spotted-necked otters have webbed feet that help them paddle powerfully and swiftly through water, making them excellent hunters.

This otter has dense, insulating fur that traps air, keeping it warm and dry even after long dives in cold water.

Spotted-necked otters can hold their breath for several minutes, thanks to special flaps that seal their ears and nostrils.

Maße und Details

Länge: 100-137 cm
Gewicht: 3-6.5 kg
Lebenserwartung: 10-15 Jahre
Top Speed: 12 km/h
Wurfgröße: 1-6
Tragzeit: 60-65 Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

These otters are expert hunters, mainly feasting on fish, crabs, and frogs in the water.

Hauptnahrung

Fish
Crabs
Frogs
Mollusks
Aquatic insects

Nahrungssuche

Pursuit

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

hunts

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

A primary fish prey in its African freshwater habitats.

eats

African clawed frog

Xenopus laevis

An amphibian commonly eaten when available in its habitat.

eaten by

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Large crocodiles prey on otters, especially young ones.

eaten by

African Rock Python

Python sebae

These large snakes can ambush and consume otters near water.

Merkmale

Pelzig

Pelzig beschreibt Tiere, die eine dichte Schicht aus weichen Haaren oder Fell besitzen.

Schwimmfüße

Zeichnet sich durch Zehen aus, die durch eine Membran verbunden sind und normalerweise das Schwimmen erleichtern.

Sozial

Soziale Tiere leben in organisierten Gruppen und kooperieren, um ihr Überleben zu sichern, beispielsweise bei der Nahrungssuche, Verteidigung und Aufzucht der Jungen.

Fischfressend

Fischfressende Organismen sind Tiere, die sich hauptsächlich von Fisch ernähren.

Feuchtgebiet

Dieses Lebensraummerkmal kennzeichnet Arten, die in Feuchtgebieten vorkommen. Dies sind Landflächen, die dauerhaft oder saisonal mit Wasser gesättigt sind, darunter Marschland, Sümpfe und Moore.