European otter vs Lacustrine Vole

Lutra lutra compared with Microtus limnophilus

Key Differences

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

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Lacustrine Vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class same	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)
Order	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)	Rodentia (อันดับสัตว์ฟันแทะ)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Cricetidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Microtus
Species	Lutra lutra	Microtus limnophilus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Lacustrine Vole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Lacustrine Vole
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.

Lacustrine Vole

Habitat

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.