European otter vs Neotropical otter

Lutra lutra compared with Lontra longicaudis

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Neotropical otter is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Neotropical otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family same	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Lontra
Species	Lutra lutra	Lontra longicaudis

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Neotropical otter share a common ancestor at the Family level: Mustelidae. (Weasels & Otters)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Neotropical otter

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Neotropical 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.

Neotropical otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

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.