European otter vs soft-haired panicgrass

Lutra lutra compared with Dichanthelium subvillosum

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while soft-haired panicgrass is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	soft-haired panicgrass
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Liliopsida (Monocots)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Poales (Grasses)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Poaceae (Grass Family)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Dichanthelium
Species	Lutra lutra	Dichanthelium subvillosum

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

soft-haired panicgrass

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	soft-haired panicgrass
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.

soft-haired panicgrass

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Range

Found in Canada.

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.