Red Fox vs small skipper

Vulpes vulpes compared with Thymelicus sylvestris

Key Differences

• Red Fox is Least Concern while small skipper is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	small skipper
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Hesperiidae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Thymelicus
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Thymelicus sylvestris

Evolutionary Relationship

Red Fox and small skipper share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

small skipper

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	small skipper
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 skipper

Habitat

Inhabits Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm.

Range

Found across Europe (37 countries) and North America (United States). Currently classified as Vulnerable 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.

small skipper

small skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 8 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇷 France 🇬🇷 Greece 🇮🇹 Italy 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States