Gray Flying Fox vs Red Fox

Pteropus griseus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Gray Flying Fox is Vulnerable while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gray Flying Fox	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Chiroptera (Bats)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Pteropus (Flying Foxes)	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Pteropus griseus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Gray Flying Fox

VU — Vulnerable

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gray Flying Fox

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.