As you probably know, closely related.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidae
For some reason, we think otters are cute and therefore safe.
AFAIK, nobody thinks that way about weasels, ferrets or wolverines.
Yep...very closely related. I used to have pet ferrets. Cool critters. If I was a mouse, I’d be more terrified of a ferret than I would of a cat. If you really want to know how vicious and aggressive weasels can be, check out this stoat murdering a rat bigger than he is...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB_1WG0w85E
You otter be careful out there.