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.

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.

[4] The tail is covered with a short, silky coat of fur and is compressed laterally which allow it to swim by horizontal undulations as in fishes and crocodiles.

The hind feet have a flap of skin along the inside that allows them to be held snugly against the body when swimming.

Giant otter shrews are native to central Africa, from the southern regions of Nigeria (central Rainforest Zone), and then eastward through Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan to the northern regions of Angola and Zambia.

These animals make burrows with an entrance below water level (like otters) and during the day find shelter there and then become active in the afternoon.

P. velox regularly visits discrete piles of feces that are sheltered and probably used to mark boundaries of territory.

[1] P. velox is a nocturnal predator, hunting primarily by touch and scent in and around calm pools.

[1] P. velox searches both within the pool and along the bank for prey[4] using the sensitive vibrissae and odor and apparently not eyesight.

Captive specimens have been recorded to deteriorate in health very quickly, living only 1–14 days.

[4] Currently this species is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN because its declining rate is not significant enough to move to the next category.