Red Fox vs Western Gray Squirrel

Vulpes vulpes compared with Sciurus griseus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Red Fox	Western Gray Squirrel
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Sciuridae (Squirrels)
Genus	Vulpes (Foxes)	Sciurus (Tree Squirrels)
Species	Vulpes vulpes	Sciurus griseus

Evolutionary Relationship

Red Fox and Western Gray Squirrel share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Western Gray Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Red Fox	Western Gray Squirrel
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 Gray Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.