European otter vs

Lutra lutra compared with Hydropus trichoderma

Key Differences

European otter is Vulnerable while is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mycenaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Hydropus
Species	Lutra lutra	Hydropus trichoderma

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

EN — Endangered

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 Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered 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.

Hydropus trichoderma is a small, saprotrophic mushroom with a delicate, slender stipe and a pale, convex cap that grows on decaying woody debris in forest habitats. It is recorded from temperate European forests and contributes to wood decomposition in woodland ecosystems. Its Endangered status reflects rarity and the decline of undisturbed, mature forest with adequate deadwood.