Eastern Willow Spreadwing vs European otter

Chalcolestes parvidens compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Eastern Willow Spreadwing is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eastern Willow Spreadwing	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Lestidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Chalcolestes	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Chalcolestes parvidens	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Eastern Willow Spreadwing and European otter share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Eastern Willow Spreadwing

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eastern Willow Spreadwing	European otter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eastern Willow Spreadwing

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.

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.