Blacktail spurdog vs Red Fox

Squalus melanurus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Blacktail spurdog is Data Deficient while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blacktail spurdog	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Squaliformes (Squaliformes)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Squalidae	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Squalus	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Squalus melanurus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Blacktail spurdog and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Blacktail spurdog

DD — Data Deficient

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blacktail spurdog

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).

Blacktail spurdog

The Blacktail spurdog (Squalus melanurus) is a species in the genus Squalus. It is currently classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

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.