Deckens Hufeisennase vs Otter, Fischotter

Rhinolophus deckenii compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Deckens Hufeisennase is Near Threatened while Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Deckens Hufeisennase	Otter, Fischotter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Chiroptera (Fledertiere)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Rhinolophidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Rhinolophus	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Rhinolophus deckenii	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Deckens Hufeisennase and Otter, Fischotter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Deckens Hufeisennase

NT — Near Threatened

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Deckens Hufeisennase	Otter, Fischotter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Deckens Hufeisennase

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.

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.