European otter vs Guiana Dolphin

Lutra lutra compared with Sotalia guianensis

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Guiana Dolphin is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Guiana Dolphin
Kingdom same	Animalia (حيوانات)	Animalia (حيوانات)
Phylum same	Chordata (حبليات)	Chordata (حبليات)
Class same	Mammalia (ثدييات)	Mammalia (ثدييات)
Order	Carnivora (لواحم)	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Sotalia
Species	Lutra lutra	Sotalia guianensis

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Guiana Dolphin share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (ثدييات)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Guiana Dolphin

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Guiana Dolphin
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	10 years	—
Average Length	1.0 m	—
Average Weight	10.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Guiana Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Venezuela.

European otter

Sleek semi-aquatic mustelid found along clean rivers, streams, and coastlines across Europe and Asia. European otters can reach 1.3 meters in length and are highly skilled fish hunters, using sensitive whiskers to detect prey movements. Requiring unpolluted water with abundant fish, they are an indicator species for freshwater ecosystem health. Once nearly extinct in Western Europe from hunting and pollution, populations have recovered significantly following water quality improvements.