40 



SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



Lutra maculicollis. Spotted-necked Otter. Gevlekte Otter. 

 This is a much smaller animal than the foregoing, 

 being only about 21 inches in length. Besides being 

 easily distinguishable from the preceding species by its 

 small size, it has the toes of both fore and hind feet 



Fig. 8.— Cape Otter. 



armed with strong claws, and fully webbed. The throat 

 and chest are spotted with pale red. 



Otters are essentially aquatic animals, living in streams, 

 dams,&c., where they feed upon fish, crabs and molluscs. 

 We have known of instances where they have ravished 

 poultry runs, devouring the eggs, and killing fowls and 

 ducks. 



