European otter vs Piebald Alpine Toad

Lutra lutra compared with Scutiger maculatus

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Piebald Alpine Toad is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Piebald Alpine Toad
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Amphibia (Amphibians)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Anura (Frogs & Toads)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Megophryidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Scutiger
Species	Lutra lutra	Scutiger maculatus

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Piebald Alpine Toad share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Piebald Alpine Toad

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Piebald Alpine Toad
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.

Piebald Alpine Toad

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

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.