Red Fox vs Speckled Tar Spot

Vulpes vulpes compared with Rhytisma punctatum

Key Differences

Red Fox is Least Concern while Speckled Tar Spot is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Speckled Tar Spot
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Leotiomycetes (Leotiomycetes)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rhytismatales (Rhytismatales)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Rhytismataceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Rhytisma
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Rhytisma punctatum

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Speckled Tar Spot

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Speckled Tar Spot
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).

Speckled Tar Spot

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

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.