The Spotted-necked otter is so-called because of the creamy white mottled blotches on the neck and chest. Its long sinuous body is covered in dense, water-repellent fur, and its color ranges from reddish to chocolate brown. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. Its long hairy tail ends in a point and is flattened horizontally.
Spotted-necked otters are carnivores, they eat mainly fish, but also eat frogs, mollusks, crabs, and aquatic insects and their larvae. Typically solitary, the Spotted-necked otter lives in a small family group, according to the time of year. Sometimes they forage in loosely knit groups with up to 20 individuals. They may do this because it is easier to catch fish if they keep the shoal together. Males have a large home range with more than one female living within it. It has one or more dens (or holts) in its territory, one of the entrances typically being underwater. Although this species is usually crepuscular or nocturnal, the otters in Lake Victoria are diurnal. These animals may be vocal, with a range of calls including a contact call, which is a harsh mewing, and a high pitched distress call which is a squawking. They enjoy playing, either with other otters or alone.