Black-backed jackal vs common vole

Canis mesomelas compared with Microtus arvalis

Key Differences

• Black-backed jackal is Least Concern while common vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black-backed jackal	common vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Cricetidae
Genus	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)	Microtus
Species	Canis mesomelas	Microtus arvalis

Evolutionary Relationship

Black-backed jackal and common vole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Black-backed jackal

LC — Least Concern

common vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black-backed jackal	common vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black-backed jackal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

common vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Black-backed jackal

The Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) is a species in the genus Canis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

common vole

common vole (Microtus arvalis) 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.