Arctic barrel-bubble vs European hamster

Retusa obtusa compared with Cricetus cricetus

Key Differences

• Arctic barrel-bubble is Least Concern while European hamster is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic barrel-bubble	European hamster
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Gastropoda (Gastropoda)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Cephalaspidea (Cephalaspidea)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Retusidae	Cricetidae
Genus	Retusa	Cricetus
Species	Retusa obtusa	Cricetus cricetus

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic barrel-bubble and European hamster share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Arctic barrel-bubble

LC — Least Concern

European hamster

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic barrel-bubble	European hamster
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic barrel-bubble

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

European hamster

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 8 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Russia, and Ukraine. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Arctic barrel-bubble

The Arctic barrel-bubble (Retusa obtusa) is a species in the genus Retusa. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark