bilby vs European otter

Macrotis lagotis compared with Lutra lutra

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	bilby	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Peramelemorphia (Peramelemorphia)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Thylacomyidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Macrotis	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Macrotis lagotis	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

bilby and European otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

bilby

VU — Vulnerable

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

bilby

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.

bilby

The Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is a species in the genus Macrotis. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.