Dune Waxcap vs European polecat

Hygrocybe conicoides compared with Mustela putorius

Key Differences

• Dune Waxcap is Data Deficient while European polecat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dune Waxcap	European polecat
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Hygrophoraceae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Hygrocybe	Mustela
Species	Hygrocybe conicoides	Mustela putorius

Conservation Status

Dune Waxcap

DD — Data Deficient

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dune Waxcap	European polecat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dune Waxcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, and Norway.

European polecat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries) and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

European polecat

European polecat (Mustela putorius) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway