European otter vs

Lutra lutra compared with Planktothrix prolifica

Key Differences

European otter is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Bacteria (Bacteria)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Cyanobacteriia
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Cyanobacteriales
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Microcoleaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Planktothrix
Species	Lutra lutra	Planktothrix prolifica

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

NE — Not Evaluated

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

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

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.

Planktothrix prolifica is a filamentous cyanobacterium in the family Phormidiaceae that forms straight, unbranched trichomes in the water column of freshwater lakes. Some Planktothrix species are associated with the production of cyanotoxins, making them of ecological and public health interest. Its conservation status is not evaluated.