Canadian Otter vs European otter

Lontra canadensis compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

Canadian Otter is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian Otter	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class same	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)
Order same	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)
Family same	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Lontra	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Lontra canadensis	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

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

ดู: Family: Mustelidae

Conservation Status

Canadian Otter

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Canadian Otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

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.

Canadian Otter

The Canadian Otter (Lontra canadensis) is a species in the genus Lontra. 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.