Red Fox vs Small Adder's-Tongue

Vulpes vulpes compared with Ophioglossum azoricum

Key Differences

• Red Fox is Least Concern while Small Adder's-Tongue is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Small Adder's-Tongue
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Ophioglossales (Ophioglossales)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Ophioglossaceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Ophioglossum
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Ophioglossum azoricum

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Small Adder's-Tongue

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Small Adder's-Tongue
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).

Small Adder's-Tongue

Habitat

Inhabits boreal forests and taiga within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

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

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 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden