Eurasian beaver vs Surf Scoter

Castor fiber compared with Melanitta perspicillata

Key Differences

• Eurasian beaver is Vulnerable while Surf Scoter is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian beaver	Surf Scoter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Anatidae
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Melanitta
Species	Castor fiber	Melanitta perspicillata

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian beaver and Surf Scoter share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Eurasian beaver

VU — Vulnerable

Surf Scoter

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian beaver	Surf Scoter
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.

Surf Scoter

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden