Otter, Fischotter vs Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus

Lutra lutra compared with Calomys lepidus

Key Differences

• Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable while Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Otter, Fischotter	Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Carnivora (Raubtiere)	Rodentia (Nagetiere)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Cricetidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Calomys
Species	Lutra lutra	Calomys lepidus

Evolutionary Relationship

Otter, Fischotter and Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Otter, Fischotter	Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	10 years	—
Average Length	1.0 m	—
Average Weight	10.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic 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.

Zierliche Peruanische Vespermaus

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.