Nimba otter shrew

The Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei) is a dwarf otter shrew and belongs to the mammal family Tenrecidae. Tenrics have been found throughout mainland Africa and Madagascar; however, its subfamily Potamogalinae are the shrew-like creatures found in sub-Saharan Africa. This species belongs to the genus Micropotamogale, literally meaning "dwarf shrew". It is native to the Mount Nimba which rests along the border of Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in West Africa.

Description

The Nimba otter shrew is a small bodied mammal. Weighing only about 125 grams (4.5 ounces) it has a body length of 6-9 inches(15–22 cm.) with 1/4 to 1/3 of its body size being its tail. It has been described as a "miniature sea otter with a rat tail". Its pelage is long, hiding its ears and eyes, and almost always universally colored (usually brown, but black and gray otter shrews have been spotted).

Evolution and Life History

Nimba otter shrew is solely classified as a member of Tenrecidae, with African hedgehogs and rodents, based on morphological structures. New breakthroughs in genetic testing are finding that it does belong in this family and subfamily Potamogalinae. Unfortunately, due to heavy mining operations for iron ore in Mount Nimba, the fossil record is all but destroyed in that area. It is also difficult for scientists to gain access because the mountain crosses the borders of three different countries.

Potamogalinae

Potamogalinae is the subfamily of "otter shrews", a group of semiaquatic riverine mammals in the family Tenrecidae indigenous to Subsaharan Africa. All otter shrews are carnivorous, preying on any aquatic animal they can find with their sensitive whiskers. As their common name suggests, they bear a strong, but superficial resemblance to true otters. They move through the water by undulating their tail in a side-to-side motion similar to the motions made by a crocodile swimming.

Species

Three species of otter shrew are recognized.