# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![spotted-necked otter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spotted-necked_otter_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: derekkeats, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spotted-necked_otter_1.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Hydrictis ## Interesting facts - 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! ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Navigator:** The spotted-necked otter can navigate murky waters because of its sensitive whiskers that detect prey movement, helping them hunt. - **Underwater Swimmer:** Spotted-necked otters have webbed feet that help them paddle powerfully and swiftly through water, making them excellent hunters. - **Waterproof Coat:** This otter has dense, insulating fur that traps air, keeping it warm and dry even after long dives in cold water. - **Breathing Control:** Spotted-necked otters can hold their breath for several minutes, thanks to special flaps that seal their ears and nostrils. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-137 cm - **Weight:** 3-6.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 60-65 days ## Diet & Feeding These otters are expert hunters, mainly feasting on fish, crabs, and frogs in the water. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Crabs, Frogs, Mollusks, Aquatic insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **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. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals like otters. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify spotted-necked otter? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is spotted-necked otter? 100-137 cm ### How much does spotted-necked otter weigh? 3-6.5 kg ### How long does spotted-necked otter live? 10-15 years ### How fast can spotted-necked otter move? 12 km/h ### What does spotted-necked otter eat? These otters are expert hunters, mainly feasting on fish, crabs, and frogs in the water. ### Where is spotted-necked otter usually found? Wetlands ### How does spotted-necked otter hunt? Pursuit ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Spotted-necked Otter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-necked-otter)