Beaver vs. Otter — What's the Difference?

Dam Builder

Aquatic Mammal

Flat-Tailed

Streamlined Body

Family-Oriented

Fish Hunter

Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents in the genus Castor native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are two extant species: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (C. fiber).

Versatile Habitat

Either of two large semiaquatic rodents, Castor canadensis of North America or C. fiber of Eurasia, having thick brown fur, webbed hind feet, a broad flat tail, and sharp incisors used for gnawing bark and felling trees, with which they construct dams and underwater lodges.

Playful

The fur of a beaver.

Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates.

A top hat originally made of the underfur of a beaver.

A semiaquatic fish-eating mammal of the weasel family, with an elongated body, dense fur, and webbed feet.

A napped wool fabric, similar to felt, used for outer garments.

A piece of board used to carry fishing bait in water.

Vulgar Slang The female genitals.

Any of various aquatic or semiaquatic carnivorous mammals of the mustelid subfamily Lutrinae, having webbed feet and dense, dark brown fur.

Offensive Slang A woman or girl.

The fur of one of these animals.

A piece of armor attached to a helmet or breastplate to protect the throat or lower face.

An aquatic or marine carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, polecats, badgers, and others.

The visor on a helmet.

(gay slang) A hairy man with a slender physique, in contrast with a bear, who is more thickset.

Of or relating to a beaver or beavers

(obsolete) annatto dye

Constructed by beavers

Any carnivorous animal of the genera Lutra, Enhydra, and related genera of the family Mustelidae. Several species are described. They have large, flattish heads, short ears, and webbed toes. They are aquatic, and feed on fish. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) also eats clams, crabs, starfish, abalone, and other marine animals; they may come to the surface, and lying on their backs using the stomach as a table, may be seen cracking open the shell of its prey with a rock. The common otter of Europe is Lutra vulgaris; the North American otter (or American otter) is Lutra Canadensis, which inhabits marshes, streams and rivers; other species inhabit South America and Asia. The North American otter adult is about three to four feet long (including the tail) and weighs from 10 to 30 pounds; the sea otter is commonly four feet long and 45 pounds (female) or 60 pounds (male). Their fur is soft and valuable, and in the nineteenth century they were hunted extensively. The sea otter was hunted to near extinction by 1900, and is now protected. Fewer than 3,000 sea otters are believed to live along the central California coast.

To work diligently and energetically.

The larva of the ghost moth. It is very injurious to hop vines.

To spot a beard in a game of beaver.

A corruption of Annotto.

To work hard.

The fur of an otter

To cut a continuous ring around a tree that one is felling.

Freshwater carnivorous mammal having webbed and clawed feet and dark brown fur

(backgammon) After being doubled, to immediately double the stakes again, a move that keeps the doubling cube on one’s own side of the board.

(countable) A semiaquatic rodent of the genus Castor, having a wide, flat tail and webbed feet.

The fur of the beaver.

(countable) A hat, of various shapes, made from a felted beaver fur (or later of silk), fashionable in Europe between 1550 and 1850.

(North American) Beaver pelts as an article of exchange or as a standard of value.

Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woollen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats.

A brown colour, like that of a beaver.

A move in response to being doubled, in which one immediately doubles the stakes again, keeping the doubling cube on one’s own side of the board.

Senseid|en|member of the youngest wing of the Scout movement}} {{alternative case form of Beaver.

Senseid|en|part of a helmet}} {{alternative spelling of bevor.

An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor.

The fur of the beaver.

A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk.

Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats.

A man's beard.

The hair on a woman's pubic area; - vulgar.

A woman; - vulgar and offensive.

A person who works enthusiastically and diligently; - used especially in the phrase eager beaver.

That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise) that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink.

The soft brown fur of the beaver

A full beard

A man's hat with a tall crown; usually covered with beaver or silk

A movable piece of armor on a medieval helmet used to protect the lower face

A hat made of beaver fur or similar material

Large semiaquatic rodent with webbed hind feet and a broad flat tail; construct complex dams and underwater lodges

Work hard on something

Semi-Aquatic Rodent

Herbivorous

No, beavers are herbivorous, and otters are carnivorous.

An aquatic mammal skilled in swimming and hunting fish.

No, otters do not construct dams.

A large, semi-aquatic rodent known for building dams.

Yes, they often live in family groups.

It's flat and broad, used for swimming and signaling.

No, they do not construct homes like beavers.

Yes, they are excellent swimmers.

It varies; some species are solitary, while others are social.

They are skilled swimmers and catch fish or other small aquatic creatures.

No, they are primarily found in freshwater.

Beavers are generally bulkier than otters.

They prefer freshwater habitats.

Yes, in various aquatic environments across the globe.

Yes, they are known for being playful and using tools.