Canadian beaver vs Red Fox

Castor canadensis compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Canadian beaver is Not Evaluated while Red Fox is Least Concern.
• Canadian beaver is herbivore while Red Fox is omnivore.
• Canadian beaver is 4.2x heavier than Red Fox.
• Canadian beaver lives longer (15 years vs 5 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Canadian beaver	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Castoridae (Beavers)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Castor (Beavers)	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Castor canadensis	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Canadian beaver and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Canadian beaver

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~15.0M

Trend: Stable →

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Canadian beaver	Red Fox
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	15 years	5 years
Average Length	1.0 m	70 cm
Average Weight	25.0 kg	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Canadian beaver

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (15 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Argentina, Chile).

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).

Canadian beaver

The largest rodent in North America, Canadian beavers weigh up to 32 kg and are master ecosystem engineers inhabiting rivers, lakes, and wetlands across Canada and the northern United States. By felling trees and constructing dams up to hundreds of meters long, beavers create ponds that provide habitat for hundreds of species. Their lodges and canals transform entire watersheds. Once nearly hunted to extinction for their fur, beaver populations have recovered strongly.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 7 countries:

🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States