Arctic fox vs Red Fox

Vulpes lagopus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

Arctic fox is Critically Endangered while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic fox	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family same	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus same	Vulpes (Foxes)	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Vulpes lagopus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic fox and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Vulpes. (Foxes)

View Genus: Vulpes

Conservation Status

Arctic fox

CR — Critically Endangered

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic fox	Red Fox
Diet	—	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	—	5 years
Average Length	—	70 cm
Average Weight	—	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic fox

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Red Fox

Habitat

Typically found in a wide range of habitat types.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Cyprus, Israel), Europe (8 countries), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (Argentina).

Arctic fox

The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a species in the genus Vulpes. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Red Fox

The most widespread wild carnivore on Earth, red foxes have colonized habitats from Arctic tundra to urban environments across the Northern Hemisphere and introduced ranges in Australia. Recognized by their russet coat, white belly, and bushy tail. Highly adaptable omnivores, red foxes eat everything from rabbits and voles to fruit and human refuse. They communicate with over 40 distinct vocalizations.