Arctic lemming vs European otter

Dicrostonyx torquatus compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

Arctic lemming is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic lemming	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (प्राणी)	Animalia (प्राणी)
Phylum same	Chordata (रज्जुकी)	Chordata (रज्जुकी)
Class same	Mammalia (स्तनधारी)	Mammalia (स्तनधारी)
Order	Rodentia (कृंतक)	Carnivora (मांसाहारी गण)
Family	Cricetidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Dicrostonyx	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Dicrostonyx torquatus	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic lemming and European otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (स्तनधारी)

View Class: Mammalia

Conservation Status

Arctic lemming

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic lemming	European otter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic lemming

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

European otter

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.

Arctic lemming

The Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus) is a species in the genus Dicrostonyx. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

European otter

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.