North American porcupine vs Red Fox

Erethizon dorsatus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	North American porcupine	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Erethizontidae	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Erethizon	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Erethizon dorsatus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

North American porcupine and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

North American porcupine

LC — Least Concern

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	North American porcupine	Red Fox
Diet	—	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	—	5 years
Average Length	—	70 cm
Average Weight	—	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

North American porcupine

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

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 1 countries:

🇺🇸 United States