Fluss-Schwimmschnecke vs Eisbär

Theodoxus fluviatilis compared with Ursus maritimus

Key Differences

• Fluss-Schwimmschnecke is Least Concern while Eisbär is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Fluss-Schwimmschnecke	Eisbär
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Mollusca (Weichtiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Gastropoda (Schnecken)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Cycloneritida (Cycloneritida)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Neritidae	Ursidae (Bears)
Genus	Theodoxus	Ursus (Bears)
Species	Theodoxus fluviatilis	Ursus maritimus

Evolutionary Relationship

Fluss-Schwimmschnecke and Eisbär share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Tier)

Conservation Status

Fluss-Schwimmschnecke

LC — Least Concern

Eisbär

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Fluss-Schwimmschnecke	Eisbär
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	25 years
Average Length	—	2.4 m
Average Weight	—	450.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Fluss-Schwimmschnecke

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

Range

Found across Europe (11 countries).

Eisbär

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Fluss-Schwimmschnecke

<em>Theodoxus fluviatilis</em>, commonly known as the common freshwater nerite, is a small aquatic gastropod mollusc belonging to the family Neritidae. This species is widely distributed across Europe, with documented occurrences in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden. It typically inhabits freshwater environments, including rivers, streams, and lakes, where it grazes on algae and biofilm on hard substrates such as rocks and submerged wood. The common freshwater nerite is assessed as Least Concern on conservation metrics, reflecting its broad distribution and relatively stable populations across much of its European range. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. <em>Theodoxus fluviatilis</em> plays an ecological role as a grazer in freshwater benthic communities, contributing to the regulation of algal growth on hard surfaces. The species typically favors clean, well-oxygenated waters and can serve as an indicator of water quality in freshwater systems. Its distinctive small, dome-shaped shell with variable patterning makes it recognizable among freshwater invertebrates.

Eisbär

The largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears can exceed 700 kg and are found across Arctic sea ice from Canada to Russia. Highly specialized marine mammals that rely on sea ice to hunt ringed and bearded seals. Excellent swimmers capable of covering vast distances in open water. Listed as Vulnerable, with populations under severe pressure from rapid Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway