European otter vs

Lutra lutra compared with Pluteus pusillulus

Key Differences

European otter is Vulnerable while is Data Deficient.

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)	Pluteaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Pluteus
Species	Lutra lutra	Pluteus pusillulus

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

DD — Data Deficient

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.

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.

Pluteus pusillulus is a minute, saprotrophic mushroom in the family Pluteaceae, found growing on decaying wood and woody debris in humid forest environments. Its small, fragile fruitbody with a grayish-brown cap and free gills turning pink as spores mature is characteristic of the genus. This species is assessed as Data Deficient, indicating insufficient information on its distribution and ecology.