Dusky Flying Fox vs Otter, Fischotter

Pteropus brunneus compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Dusky Flying Fox is Extinct while Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dusky Flying Fox	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	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Pteropus (Flying Foxes)	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Pteropus brunneus	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Dusky Flying Fox and Otter, Fischotter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Dusky Flying Fox

EX — Extinct

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dusky Flying Fox	Otter, Fischotter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dusky Flying Fox

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.