Red Fox vs Spindle Shank

Vulpes vulpes compared with Gymnopus fusipes

Key Differences

Red Fox is Least Concern while Spindle Shank is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Spindle Shank
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Omphalotaceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Gymnopus
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Gymnopus fusipes

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Spindle Shank

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Spindle Shank
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).

Spindle Shank

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and 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.