European otter vs Japanese Weasel

Lutra lutra compared with Mustela itatsi

Key Differences

European otter is Vulnerable while Japanese Weasel is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Japanese Weasel
Kingdom same	Animalia (動物)	Animalia (動物)
Phylum same	Chordata (脊索動物)	Chordata (脊索動物)
Class same	Mammalia (哺乳類)	Mammalia (哺乳類)
Order same	Carnivora (ネコ目)	Carnivora (ネコ目)
Family same	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Mustela
Species	Lutra lutra	Mustela itatsi

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Japanese Weasel share a common ancestor at the Family level: Mustelidae. (Weasels & Otters)

表示 Family: Mustelidae

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Japanese Weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

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.

Japanese Weasel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Japan. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

European otter

ヨーロッパカワウソ（Lutra lutra）はヨーロッパとアジア全域の清流、渓流、海岸線に生息するスリムな半水生のイタチ科動物です。体長最大1.3メートルに達し、敏感なヒゲで獲物の動きを感知して魚を狩る非常に優れた能力を持っています。豊富な魚がいる汚染されていない水が必要で、淡水生態系の健全性の指標種として知られています。かつて狩猟と汚染によって西ヨーロッパでほぼ絶滅の危機に瀕していましたが、水質改善に伴い個体数が大幅に回復しました。