Otter Education Resources

Spotted Necked Otters

Spotted necked otters are fast-swimming otters found in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly around the Great Lakes. They are sleek and streamlined, with clawed, webbed feet, and are one of the most aquatic otter species. They mainly eat fish (if available - otherwise they will eat crabs etc). Outside of the breeding season, they often form large single-sex groups which hunt together, but during breeding, pairs go off by themselves into smaller rivers to raise 2 - 4 cubs. Their most distinguishing feature is spots and streaks of paler colour on their throats and chest, which are unique to each otter.