loutre, loutre deurope vs Hérisson d'Algérie

Lutra lutra compared with Atelerix algirus

Key Differences

• loutre, loutre deurope is Vulnerable while Hérisson d'Algérie is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	loutre, loutre deurope	Hérisson d'Algérie
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Carnivora (carnivores)	Erinaceomorpha (Erinaceomorpha)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Erinaceidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Atelerix
Species	Lutra lutra	Atelerix algirus

Evolutionary Relationship

loutre, loutre deurope and Hérisson d'Algérie share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

loutre, loutre deurope

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Hérisson d'Algérie

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	loutre, loutre deurope	Hérisson d'Algérie
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	10 years	—
Average Length	1.0 m	—
Average Weight	10.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

loutre, loutre deurope

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.

Hérisson d'Algérie

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across France, Malta, and Spain.

loutre, loutre deurope

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.