East European Vole vs European otter

Microtus levis compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• East European Vole is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	East European Vole	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (животные)	Animalia (животные)
Phylum same	Chordata (хордовые)	Chordata (хордовые)
Class same	Mammalia (млекопитающие)	Mammalia (млекопитающие)
Order	Rodentia (грызуны)	Carnivora (хищные)
Family	Cricetidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Microtus	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Microtus levis	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

East European Vole and European otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (млекопитающие)

Conservation Status

East European Vole

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

East European Vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Norway.

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.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway