Legal status Unprotected outside of reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, not listed in the SA Red Data Book, and
listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Distribution and status The spotted-necked otter is confined mainly to the Montane bioclimatic region, and has been
recorded at a few localities in the Highland, Mistbelt, and Moist upland regions. The status is
rare to very rare. The overall distributional range is not as wide as previously indicated (Pringle
1977, Rowe-Rowe 1978a).
In the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park spotted-necked otters have been recorded in the contiguous
protected areas from Garden Castle to Royal Natal (except Highmoor). Other protected areas from
which they have been reported are, Coleford, Himeville, The Swamp, Umvoti Vlei, Vryheid, and
Wagendrift. Very few records of former distribution are available: one from Port Natal in 1862
(Meester et al. 1986) and one from Curry's Post area in 1903 (NPB unpubl. records). Museum
specimens originate from Underberg and Wagendrift Dam (1978).
Living requirements L. maculicollis requires unsilted, unpolluted water in which fish, crabs, and frogs occur.
Spotted-necked otters appear to favour deeper water than do clawless otters. An essential component
of the habitat is adequate riparian vegetation (long grass, reeds, bushes) to provide cover during
periods of inactivity (Rowe-Rowe 1992), as are holes or other shelters. Favoured habitats appear to
be rivers and impoundments in the Highland, Moist upland, and Mistbelt regions. Where large
populations of small freshwater fish are present, e.g. in the lakes and rivers of central and east
Africa this otter is primarily piscivorous (Lejeune 1990). In KwaZulu-Natal the diet consists of
approximately equal amounts of crabs and fish (ca 40 % each) followed by frogs (20 %) (Rowe-Rowe
1977a). In ideal habitat (central and east Africa) densities of 1 adult/0,5 - 1 km of lake shore
have been recorded (Kruuk & Goudswaard 1990; Lejeune & Frank 1990). A preliminary estimate
of density in KwaZulu-Natal is 1 adult/6-11 km of stream (Rowe-Rowe 1992).
Social organisation Groups of up to five spotted-necked otters have been recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, with single
animals being most-frequently seen. In more suitable habitat (Lake Victoria) groups are larger :
mean three, maximum 10 to 20 (Kruuk & Goudswaard 1990).
Population dynamics Very little information is available on reproduction. Gestation is assumed to be similar to
that of most freshwater otters, namely 60 - 63 days. Mean litter size is not known, but adults with
one or two young have been seen (Rowe-Rowe 1978a).
Threats Threats to the existence of spotted-necked otters are similar to those listed for the
clawless otter.
Human importance Otters are used in traditional medicine (Cunningham & Zondi 1991). Anglers often express
concern regarding the possible impact of otters on sport-fish populations. Although fish is an
important item in the spotted-necked otter's diet, the effect on fish populations is believed to be
negligible because the otter is rare to very rare. Furthermore mainly small fish are eaten, and as
angling waters in KwaZulu-Natal are often overstocked with introduced species, this otter may serve
as a complement to fisheries management (Rowe-Rowe 1978a; 1985).
THE CARNIVORES OF NATAL
D T ROWE-ROWE
ISBN 0-620-16629-0
