Red Fox vs smooth hound

Vulpes vulpes compared with Mustelus mustelus

Key Differences

• Red Fox is Least Concern while smooth hound is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	smooth hound
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Triakidae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Mustelus
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Mustelus mustelus

Evolutionary Relationship

Red Fox and smooth hound share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

smooth hound

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	smooth hound
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).

smooth hound

Habitat

Typically found in marine environments from coastal waters to deep ocean.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

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:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden