Red Fox vs Tufted Apple-Moss

Vulpes vulpes compared with Philonotis caespitosa

Key Differences

• Red Fox is Least Concern while Tufted Apple-Moss is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Tufted Apple-Moss
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Bryophyta
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Bryopsida (Bryopsida)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Bartramiales (Bartramiales)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Bartramiaceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Philonotis
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Philonotis caespitosa

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Tufted Apple-Moss

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Tufted Apple-Moss
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).

Tufted Apple-Moss

Habitat

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

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (United States). Currently classified as 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 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States