Giant otter shrew
Species of mammal / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.[2] It is the only species in the genus Potamogale. Otter shrews are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar.[3]
Giant otter shrew | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Afrosoricida |
Suborder: | Tenrecomorpha |
Family: | Potamogalidae |
Genus: | Potamogale Du Chaillu, 1860 |
Species: | P. velox |
Binomial name | |
Potamogale velox (Du Chaillu, 1860) | |
Giant otter shrew range |
They are nocturnal carnivores that feed on aquatic animals. Despite its name, the giant otter shrew is neither a true shrew (Soricidae) or otter (Lutrinae). 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.