Common Hooktail vs European otter

Paragomphus genei compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Common Hooktail is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Hooktail	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Gomphidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Paragomphus	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Paragomphus genei	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Hooktail and European otter share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Common Hooktail

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Hooktail

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

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 Hooktail

<em>Paragomphus genei</em>, commonly known as the common hooktail, is a dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, suggesting a stable and widespread population. The species is noted to occupy virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, reflecting considerable ecological generalism typical of many gomphid dragonflies. Specific country-level distribution records for this species are not detailed in current data, though the breadth of habitat use implies a relatively wide geographic range across suitable regions. Diet information for this species is not available in current records. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

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.