Otter, Fischotter vs Perija Small-eared Shrew

Lutra lutra compared with Cryptotis perijensis

Key Differences

• Otter, Fischotter is Vulnerable while Perija Small-eared Shrew is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Otter, Fischotter	Perija Small-eared Shrew
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Carnivora (Raubtiere)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Soricidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Cryptotis
Species	Lutra lutra	Cryptotis perijensis

Evolutionary Relationship

Otter, Fischotter and Perija Small-eared Shrew share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Perija Small-eared Shrew

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Otter, Fischotter	Perija Small-eared Shrew
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.

Perija Small-eared Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Colombia.

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.