Hydrictis

Hydrictis is a genus of otter containing a single living species, the spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), also called the speckle-throated otter and formerly classified as Lutra maculicollis. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting lakes and larger rivers across much of the continent south of ten degrees north latitude, including Lake Victoria and rivers in Zambia, but it avoids saltwater. Males measure 28 to 30 inches from nose to rump and weigh 13 to 14 pounds, while females are smaller at 22 to 24 inches and 6.6 to 10.4 pounds; the species has chocolate to reddish brown fur with creamy or white blotches on the chest and throat, a broad head with a short muzzle, small rounded ears, webbed paws, and a long muscular tail 15 to 17 inches long, along with teeth adapted for eating fish. It is classified as near threatened by the IUCN because of habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting for bushmeat.