Atlantic devil ray vs European otter

Mobula hypostoma compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Atlantic devil ray is Endangered while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Atlantic devil ray	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Myliobatidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Mobula	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Mobula hypostoma	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Atlantic devil ray and European otter share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Atlantic devil ray

EN — Endangered

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Atlantic devil ray	European otter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Atlantic devil ray

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.

Atlantic devil ray

The Atlantic devil ray (Mobula hypostoma) is a species in the genus Mobula. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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.