Red Fox vs Western Gorse

Vulpes vulpes compared with Ulex gallii

Key Differences

Red Fox is Least Concern while Western Gorse is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Western Gorse
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Fabales (Legumes & Allies)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Fabaceae
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Ulex
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Ulex gallii

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Western Gorse

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Western Gorse
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).

Western Gorse

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries).

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.