Eurasian beaver vs Lesser Short-tailed Rat

Castor fiber compared with Brachyuromys betsileoensis

Key Differences

• Eurasian beaver is Vulnerable while Lesser Short-tailed Rat is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian beaver	Lesser Short-tailed Rat
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Rodentia (Rodents)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Nesomyidae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Brachyuromys
Species	Castor fiber	Brachyuromys betsileoensis

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian beaver and Lesser Short-tailed Rat share a common ancestor at the Order level: Rodentia. (Rodents)

Conservation Status

Eurasian beaver

VU — Vulnerable

Lesser Short-tailed Rat

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian beaver	Lesser Short-tailed Rat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian beaver

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lesser Short-tailed Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Eurasian beaver

Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.