Red Fox vs Shingled Hedgehog

Vulpes vulpes compared with Sarcodon imbricatus

Key Differences

• Red Fox is Least Concern while Shingled Hedgehog is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Shingled Hedgehog
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Thelephorales (Thelephorales)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Bankeraceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Sarcodon
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Sarcodon imbricatus

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Shingled Hedgehog

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic 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).

Shingled Hedgehog

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States