Caspian Shrew vs European otter

Crocidura caspica compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

Caspian Shrew is Data Deficient while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Caspian Shrew	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Soricidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Crocidura	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Crocidura caspica	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

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

View Class: Mammalia

Conservation Status

Caspian Shrew

DD — Data Deficient

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Caspian Shrew

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.

Caspian Shrew

The Caspian Shrew (Crocidura caspica) is a species in the genus Crocidura. It is currently classified as Data Deficient 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.