The giant otter shrew (Potamogale velox ) is a semiaquatic, carnivorous afrotherian mammal. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. It lives in streams, wetlands and slow flowing larger rivers. It is the only species in the genus Potamogale. Otter shrews are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar.
They are nocturnal carnivores that feed on aquatic animals. Despite its name, the giant otter shrew is not a true shrew (Soricidae). The common name refers to their resemblance to otters with their flat face, stiff whiskers, and muscular tails, and to their overall superficial similarity to true shrews.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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MolluscivoreA molluscivore is a carnivorous animal that specializes in feeding on molluscs such as gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, and cephalopods. Known mo...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Giant otter shrew is a semiaquatic mammal that lives in central Africa. Despite its name, the Giant otter shrew is not a true shrew. The common name refers to their resemblance to otters with their flat face, stiff whiskers, and muscular tails, and to their overall superficial similarity to true shrews. Giant otter shrews have long, flat tails, which they use for swimming by sideways undulation like a fish. They have a muzzle covered with bristles and flat shielded nostrils. Their hair is dense, soft, and silky on the tail. Their fur consists of a dense undercoat and coarse guard hairs. It possesses counter-shading with dark brown on the back and whitish or yellowish underparts. The tail is covered with a short, silky coat of fur and is compressed laterally which allows otter shrews to swim by horizontal undulations as in fishes and crocodiles. Their legs are short and lack webbing so they are not used for swimming. The hind feet have a flap of skin along the inside that allows them to be held snugly against the body when swimming. There are also two syndactylous (2nd and 3rd toes are fused) toes on the hind feet, used for grooming.
Giant otter shrews are native to central Africa, from the southern regions of Nigeria (central Rainforest Zone), and then eastward through Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan to the northern regions of Angola and Zambia. There is a small population that lives between Uganda and Kenya and the preserved rainforest of Kakamega, Kenya. These animals prefer freshwater aquatic microhabitats in the rainforest. They inhabit fast-flowing rivers, streams, swamps, and coastal rivers, and during the rainy season, some may retreat to small forest pools. River banks provide good habitats for breeding and nesting.
Giant otter shrews are solitary and territorial; one shrew typically occupies between 500-1,000 m of the stream. They make burrows with an entrance below water level (like otters) and during the day find shelter there and then become active in the afternoon. Otter shrews build their burrows among riverbank crevices. They choose dry leaves with which to line their nests. This is also where breeding takes place. The burrows are frequently changed. These animals are nocturnal predators, hunting primarily by touch and scent in and around calm pools. Each dive lasts only seconds. They search both within the pool and along the bank for prey using the sensitive vibrissae and odor and apparently not eyesight. They prefer areas that have cover to retreat to when they feel threatened. Giant otter shrews attack prey using sharp bites, sometimes pinning the prey with their fore feet, and flipping crabs over to attack their weaker ventral surface. When foraging, otter shrews take frequent grooming breaks. When traveling upstream they travel on the bank and then swim downstream. Their night foraging routine is regular and predictable and covers up to 800 meters a night. When on land Giant otter shrews are clumsy and if disturbed escape into the water. They also visit latrines that are sheltered and probably used to mark the boundaries of the territory.
Giant otter shrews are carnivores and the prey preference varies among individuals; some prefer crabs; others, frogs or fish. Frogs are eaten headfirst and fish are pulled apart into manageable bits. They also eat insects, mollusks, and freshwater prawns.
Little is known about the mating system of Giant otter shrews. Males move long distances via water in search of mates and it is thought that males rut (or fight) during the wet season. Giant otter shrews breed during the wet/rainy season. Females give birth to one or two young per litter, once or twice a year.
The Giant otter shrew is not considered threatened at present, however, its numbers are in decline. One of the major threats to this species is the soil erosion caused by deforestation, especially in Cameroon. While they can tolerate seasonally cloudy streams, streams muddied from erosion and deforestation are little used. Some drown in fishing nets or fish traps, and members of this species have not survived well in captivity. Giant otter shrews are also hunted extensively for their skins.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Giant otter shrew total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
