Balkan Blind Mole Rat vs small tortoiseshell

Spalax graecus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Balkan Blind Mole Rat is Vulnerable while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Balkan Blind Mole Rat	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Spalacidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Spalax	Aglais
Species	Spalax graecus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Balkan Blind Mole Rat and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Balkan Blind Mole Rat

VU — Vulnerable

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Balkan Blind Mole Rat	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Balkan Blind Mole Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ukraine. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Balkan Blind Mole Rat

The Balkan Blind Mole Rat (Spalax graecus) is a species in the genus Spalax. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇺🇦 Ukraine