Dusky Dolphin vs European otter

Lagenorhynchus obscurus compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Dusky Dolphin is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dusky Dolphin	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (động vật)	Animalia (động vật)
Phylum same	Chordata (động vật có dây sống)	Chordata (động vật có dây sống)
Class same	Mammalia (lớp Thú)	Mammalia (lớp Thú)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Carnivora (bộ Ăn thịt)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Lagenorhynchus	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Lagenorhynchus obscurus	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Dusky Dolphin and European otter share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (lớp Thú)

Conservation Status

Dusky Dolphin

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dusky Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.