Blind Eel vs European otter

Eptatretus cirrhatus compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Blind Eel is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blind Eel	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Myxini (Myxini)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Myxiniformes (Myxiniformes)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Myxinidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Eptatretus	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Eptatretus cirrhatus	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Blind Eel and European otter share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Blind Eel

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blind Eel

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.

Blind Eel

The Blind Eel (Eptatretus cirrhatus) is a species in the genus Eptatretus. It is currently classified as Least Concern 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.