Devil weed vs European otter

Sargassum horneri compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

Devil weed is Not Evaluated while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Devil weed	European otter
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Phaeophyceae (Phaeophyceae)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Fucales (Fucales)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Sargassaceae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Sargassum	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Sargassum horneri	Lutra lutra

Conservation Status

Devil weed

NE — Not Evaluated

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Devil weed

Habitat

Native to Asia and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Mexico, Taiwan, and United States.

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.

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.