European otter vs

Lutra lutra compared with Sphingobium amiense

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Bacteria (Bacteria)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Proteobacteria (Proteobacteria)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Alphaproteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Sphingomonadales (Sphingomonadales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Sphingomonadaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Sphingobium
Species	Lutra lutra	Sphingobium amiense

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 Asia, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Taiwan.

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.

Sphingobium amiense is a Gram-negative aerobic rod with the ability to degrade nonylphenol and related endocrine-disrupting compounds. It has been isolated from activated sludge and polluted soil environments. This bacterium plays a role in the degradation of synthetic surfactants and phenolic pollutants in wastewater treatment systems.