Scharfer Korkstacheling vs Otter, Fischotter

Hydnellum peckii compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

Scharfer Korkstacheling is Endangered while Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Scharfer Korkstacheling	Otter, Fischotter
Kingdom	Fungi (Pilze)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Thelephorales (Thelephorales)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Bankeraceae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Hydnellum	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Hydnellum peckii	Lutra lutra

Conservation Status

Scharfer Korkstacheling

EN — Endangered

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Scharfer Korkstacheling

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

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.