Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo vs European otter

Hippopotamus amphibius compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo is herbivore while European otter is carnivore.
• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo is 150.0x heavier than European otter.
• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo lives longer (40 years vs 10 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Hippopotamidae (Hippos)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Hippopotamus (Hippos)	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Hippopotamus amphibius	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo and European otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~130.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo	European otter
Diet	Herbivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	10 years
Average Length	3.5 m	1.0 m
Average Weight	1.5 t	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

Africa's most dangerous large mammal, common hippos can reach 3,200 kg and inhabit rivers, lakes, and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Semi-aquatic, spending up to 16 hours daily submerged to keep cool, they graze on land at night. Despite appearing docile, hippos are extremely aggressive and territorial, responsible for hundreds of human fatalities annually. Vulnerable, with populations threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting for ivory tusks.

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.