European otter vs Variable Dancer

Lutra lutra compared with Argia fumipennis

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Variable Dancer is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Variable Dancer
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Odonata (Odonata)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Coenagrionidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Argia
Species	Lutra lutra	Argia fumipennis

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Variable Dancer share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Variable Dancer

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Variable Dancer
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.

Variable Dancer

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in United States.

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.