European otter vs Golden-rumped elephant shrew

Lutra lutra compared with Rhynchocyon chrysopygus

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while Golden-rumped elephant shrew is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	Golden-rumped elephant shrew
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)	Macroscelidea (Macroscelidea)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Macroscelididae
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Rhynchocyon
Species	Lutra lutra	Rhynchocyon chrysopygus

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and Golden-rumped elephant shrew share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (lớp Thú)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Golden-rumped elephant shrew

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	Golden-rumped elephant shrew
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.

Golden-rumped elephant shrew

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Endangered 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.