It is nocturnal and constructs short tunnels in stream banks. It swims rapidly with powerful thrusts of its long hind legs. It searches for food by wading through watery mud, with its nose held near the water. It evidently obtains prey both by passive filtration through its vibrissae and by actively pouncing on worms, slugs, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. It also eats small vertebrates and some vegetable matter.
Individuals are probably solitary.
Records suggest a breeding season of March to July in western Uganda and eastern Zaire. Pregnant females have contained one to three embryos.