European otter vs Four-toed Hedgehog

Lutra lutra compared with Atelerix albiventris

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Four-toed Hedgehog is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Four-toed Hedgehog
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	Carnivora (bộ Ăn thịt)	Erinaceomorpha (Erinaceomorpha)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Erinaceidae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Atelerix
Species	Lutra lutra	Atelerix albiventris

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Four-toed Hedgehog share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (lớp Thú)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Four-toed Hedgehog

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Four-toed Hedgehog
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.

Four-toed Hedgehog

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Ecuador and Spain.

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.