European otter vs Lesser Taiwanese Shrew

Lutra lutra compared with Chodsigoa sodalis

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Lesser Taiwanese Shrew is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Lesser Taiwanese Shrew
Kingdom same	Animalia (животные)	Animalia (животные)
Phylum same	Chordata (хордовые)	Chordata (хордовые)
Class same	Mammalia (млекопитающие)	Mammalia (млекопитающие)
Order	Carnivora (хищные)	Soricomorpha (землеройкообразные)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Soricidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Chodsigoa
Species	Lutra lutra	Chodsigoa sodalis

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Lesser Taiwanese Shrew share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (млекопитающие)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Lesser Taiwanese Shrew

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Lesser Taiwanese Shrew
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.

Lesser Taiwanese Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Taiwan.

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.