Dotted Ermel vs Red Fox

Ethmia dodecea compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Dotted Ermel is Extinct while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dotted Ermel	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Ethmiidae	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Ethmia	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Ethmia dodecea	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Dotted Ermel and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Dotted Ermel

EX — Extinct

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dotted Ermel

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden.

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).

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 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇸🇪 Sweden