Ecuadorian Cotton Rat vs small tortoiseshell

Sigmodon inopinatus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Ecuadorian Cotton Rat is Vulnerable while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ecuadorian Cotton Rat	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Cricetidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Sigmodon	Aglais
Species	Sigmodon inopinatus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat

VU — Vulnerable

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Ecuadorian Cotton Rat	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.