European otter vs

Lutra lutra compared with Hydnellum compactum

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Thelephorales (Thelephorales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Bankeraceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Hydnellum
Species	Lutra lutra	Hydnellum compactum

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

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.

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Norway, and Sweden. 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.

Hydnellum compactum is a stipitate, tooth fungus with a compact, brownish-orange to rusty-brown cap surface covered in spines on the underside. It grows on the forest floor in coniferous forests across Europe and parts of North America, forming ectomycorrhizal associations with trees. This fungus obtains nutrients by forming mutualistic partnerships with the roots of pine, spruce, and fir trees.