Northern Dusky Slug vs Red Fox

Arion fuscus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Northern Dusky Slug is Data Deficient while Red Fox is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Northern Dusky Slug	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Gastropoda (Gastropoda)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Stylommatophora (Stylommatophora)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Arionidae	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Arion	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Arion fuscus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Northern Dusky Slug and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Northern Dusky Slug

DD — Data Deficient

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Northern Dusky Slug	Red Fox
Diet	—	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	—	5 years
Average Length	—	70 cm
Average Weight	—	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Northern Dusky Slug

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries).

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 7 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇷 France 🇬🇷 Greece 🇮🇹 Italy 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden