phoque commun vs loup

Phoca vitulina compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

• phoque commun is Near Threatened while loup is Critically Endangered.
• phoque commun is 1.8x heavier than loup.
• phoque commun lives longer (30 years vs 13 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	phoque commun	loup
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Carnivora (carnivores)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species	Phoca vitulina	Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

phoque commun and loup share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

phoque commun

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

loup

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	phoque commun	loup
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	30 years	13 years
Average Length	1.7 m	1.6 m
Average Weight	80.0 kg	45.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

phoque commun

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

loup

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

phoque commun

The most widely distributed pinniped, harbor seals inhabit temperate and subarctic coastal waters of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Adults reach up to 130 kg and spend roughly equal time at sea hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans and hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest. Their large, expressive eyes are adapted for underwater vision in low light. Harbor seals are a critical food source for orcas, sharks, and polar bears.

loup

The most widely distributed wild canid, gray wolves range from North America across Eurasia in diverse habitats including tundra, forests, and grasslands. Highly social animals living in family packs led by a dominant breeding pair. As keystone predators, wolves regulate prey populations and profoundly shape ecosystem structure, as demonstrated by their reintroduction in Yellowstone. Once heavily persecuted, populations are recovering in many regions.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 6 countries:

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