Canadian beaver vs Neotropical otter

Castor canadensis compared with Lontra longicaudis

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while Neotropical otter is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	Neotropical otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Lontra
Species	Castor canadensis	Lontra longicaudis

Evolutionary Relationship

Canadian beaver and Neotropical otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Neotropical otter

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	Neotropical otter
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	15 years	—
Average Length	1.0 m	—
Average Weight	25.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Canadian beaver

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (15 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Argentina, Chile).

Neotropical otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Canadian beaver

The largest rodent in North America, Canadian beavers weigh up to 32 kg and are master ecosystem engineers inhabiting rivers, lakes, and wetlands across Canada and the northern United States. By felling trees and constructing dams up to hundreds of meters long, beavers create ponds that provide habitat for hundreds of species. Their lodges and canals transform entire watersheds. Once nearly hunted to extinction for their fur, beaver populations have recovered strongly.