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Discover the Freshwater Otters of Africa
Explore the lush freshwater habitats of Africa's Lake Tanganyika, Lake Chad and Lake Victoria.
Three species of freshwater otters—including
African spotted-necked otters
—live in the deep, cool waters of these lakes and nearby rivers, streams and swamps.
Wild About Otters features African spotted-necked otters, the most aquatic of all the African otter species.
They're named for the spattering of spots on their neck and chest area (and sometimes on their belly). The spot
patterns are unique to each individual.
Our exhibit features five African spotted-necked otters: Neema and Denny, and their pup Ziwa, plus young
pups Ajabu and Shani. All three pups were born at the Aquarium, but the adults came from the San Diego Zoo
as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a cooperative effort to ensure the survival of threatened and endangered wildlife.
Listen: Otter Pup
Crying is one of the many ways that an otter pup makes sure mom knows what it wants.
Watch: Exhibit Otters
Watch the otters swim and interact with each other. Look for the different spot patterns and see if you can tell who's who.
Spotting guide
African Cape clawless otter
Spotted-necked otters share their sub-Saharan habitats with two other species—the African Cape clawless otter and
the Congo clawless otter. Both somewhat resemble the spotted-necked otter, but that's where the similarities end.
The African Cape clawless otter is larger and has long whiskers, but doesn't have spots or webbed feet (or any claws, for that matter).
But it does have incredibly dexterous fingers, which it uses to catch prey.
African Congo clawless otter
The Congo clawless otter is larger still, and also has dexterous fingers and only a few claws on its back
legs, which it uses primarily to groom. It eats crabs and fishes like the African clawless otter, but
giant earthworms are also an important part of its diet. Biologists are trying to determine whether
the Congo clawless is indeed a true species or merely a sub-species of the African Cape clawless otter.
All three African otters are classified as species of "Concern," which means there's not yet enough data
to determine if their populations are in danger. But they share common threats to their survival that appear
to be getting worse, not better.
Water pollution is a major concern. Sewage and PCBs leak into rivers, killing otters and the fish they depend on for food. Habitat destruction is also a problem, as wetlands are drained for houses and farms, leaving otters homeless.
Fishermen see otters as competitors and may kill them to protect their livelihood, and otters are also hunted as bushmeat in some areas.
Rising silt levels in Lake Tanganyika make it harder for otters to find food.
Crying is one of the many ways that an otter pup makes sure mom knows what it wants.
