Otter, Fischotter vs Eisbär

Lutra lutra compared with Ursus maritimus

Key Differences

• Eisbär is 45.0x heavier than Otter, Fischotter.
• Eisbär lives longer (25 years vs 10 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Otter, Fischotter	Eisbär
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order same	Carnivora (Raubtiere)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Ursidae (Bears)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Ursus (Bears)
Species	Lutra lutra	Ursus maritimus

Evolutionary Relationship

Otter, Fischotter and Eisbär share a common ancestor at the Order level: Carnivora. (Raubtiere)

Conservation Status

Otter, Fischotter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Eisbär

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Otter, Fischotter	Eisbär
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	10 years	25 years
Average Length	1.0 m	2.4 m
Average Weight	10.0 kg	450.0 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.

Eisbär

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. 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.

Eisbär

The largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears can exceed 700 kg and are found across Arctic sea ice from Canada to Russia. Highly specialized marine mammals that rely on sea ice to hunt ringed and bearded seals. Excellent swimmers capable of covering vast distances in open water. Listed as Vulnerable, with populations under severe pressure from rapid Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway