otter-shrew

Mammal of the order Insectivora that resembles an otter. It lives in West African streams and rivers, has thick fur, brown on the back and sides and white on the belly, and a long, laterally flattened tail for swimming. It eats fish and crustaceans. The largest species, the giant water-shrew, Potamogale velox, is about 62 cm/24 in long, almost half of which is tail.