Balkan-Maulwurf vs Otter, Fischotter

Talpa stankovici compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Balkan-Maulwurf is Least Concern while Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Balkan-Maulwurf	Otter, Fischotter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Talpidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Talpa	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Talpa stankovici	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Balkan-Maulwurf and Otter, Fischotter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Balkan-Maulwurf

LC — Least Concern

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Balkan-Maulwurf	Otter, Fischotter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Balkan-Maulwurf

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Otter, Fischotter

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.

Balkan-Maulwurf

The Balkan Mole (Talpa stankovici) is a species in the genus Talpa. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Like other members of its genus, this species plays a role in its native ecosystem.

Otter, Fischotter

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.