Circular Ear Shell vs European otter

Haliotis cyclobates compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Circular Ear Shell is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Circular Ear Shell	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Gastropoda (Gastropoda)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lepetellida (Lepetellida)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Haliotidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Haliotis	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Haliotis cyclobates	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Circular Ear Shell and European otter share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Circular Ear Shell

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Circular Ear Shell

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

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.

Circular Ear Shell

The Circular Ear Shell (Haliotis cyclobates) is a species in the genus Haliotis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

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.