vs Paradox Vole

Hygrophorus cossus compared with Microtus paradoxus

Key Differences

• is Critically Endangered while Paradox Vole is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Paradox Vole
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Hygrophoraceae	Cricetidae
Genus	Hygrophorus	Microtus
Species	Hygrophorus cossus	Microtus paradoxus

Conservation Status

CR — Critically Endangered

Paradox Vole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Paradox Vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Paradox Vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Hygrophorus cossus is a waxcap fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae, assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). It grows in old-growth forest habitats, particularly in association with ancient trees, and is named for its distinctive soapy or waxy odour. Its critically endangered status reflects extreme rarity and the near-total loss of suitable old-growth forest habitat.