Lesser Noctule vs Red Fox

Nyctalus leisleri compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Lesser Noctule is Endangered while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lesser Noctule	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	Vespertilionidae	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Nyctalus	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Nyctalus leisleri	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Lesser Noctule

EN — Endangered

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lesser Noctule

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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