European otter vs gray wolf

Lutra lutra compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

• European otter is Vulnerable while gray wolf is Critically Endangered.
• gray wolf is 4.5x heavier than European otter.
• gray wolf lives longer (13 years vs 10 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European otter	gray wolf
Kingdom same	Animalia (动物界)	Animalia (动物界)
Phylum same	Chordata (脊索动物门)	Chordata (脊索动物门)
Class same	Mammalia (哺乳動物)	Mammalia (哺乳動物)
Order same	Carnivora (食肉目)	Carnivora (食肉目)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Lutra (Otters)	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species	Lutra lutra	Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

European otter and gray wolf share a common ancestor at the Order level: Carnivora. (食肉目)

Conservation Status

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

gray wolf

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European otter	gray wolf
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	10 years	13 years
Average Length	1.0 m	1.6 m
Average Weight	10.0 kg	45.0 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.

gray wolf

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

European otter

欧洲水獭（Lutra lutra）是一种纤细的半水生鼬科动物，分布于欧洲和亚洲的清洁河流、溪流和海岸线。欧洲水獭体长可达1.3米，是技术娴熟的捕鱼者，利用敏感的胡须探测猎物的动向。它们需要鱼类丰富的清洁水域，是淡水生态系统健康状况的指示物种。曾因狩猎和污染在西欧几近灭绝，随着水质改善，种群数量已显著恢复。

gray wolf

灰狼是分布最广的野生犬科动物，分布范围从北美横跨欧亚大陆，栖息于冻原、森林和草原等多种生境。高度社会化的动物，以由占优势的繁殖对领导的家族群体生活。作为关键捕食者，狼调节猎物种群并深刻影响生态系统结构，黄石公园的重引入项目对此有充分证明。曾遭到严重迫害，但目前许多地区的种群正在恢复。

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden