European otter vs Stinging Tree

Lutra lutra compared with Dendrocnide peltata

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Stinging Tree is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Stinging Tree
Kingdom	Animalia (สัตว์)	Plantae (พืช)
Phylum	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)	Magnoliopsida (พืชใบเลี้ยงคู่)
Order	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)	Rosales (อันดับกุหลาบ)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Urticaceae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Dendrocnide
Species	Lutra lutra	Dendrocnide peltata

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Stinging Tree

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Stinging Tree
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.

Stinging Tree

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

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.