European otter vs Smooth Map Lichen

Lutra lutra compared with Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Smooth Map Lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Rhizocarpon
Species	Lutra lutra	Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Smooth Map Lichen

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Smooth Map Lichen
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.

Smooth Map Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Vulnerable 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.