cerf rouge, cerf élaphe vs loup

Cervus elaphus compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

• cerf rouge, cerf élaphe is Vulnerable while loup is Critically Endangered.
• cerf rouge, cerf élaphe is herbivore while loup is carnivore.
• cerf rouge, cerf élaphe is 5.3x heavier than loup.
• cerf rouge, cerf élaphe lives longer (20 years vs 13 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	cerf rouge, cerf élaphe	loup
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)	Carnivora (carnivores)
Family	Cervidae (Deer)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Cervus (True Deer)	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species	Cervus elaphus	Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

cerf rouge, cerf élaphe and loup share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

cerf rouge, cerf élaphe

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

loup

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	cerf rouge, cerf élaphe	loup
Diet	Herbivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	20 years	13 years
Average Length	2.1 m	1.6 m
Average Weight	240.0 kg	45.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

cerf rouge, cerf élaphe

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, among 12 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (South Africa), Asia (Afghanistan, Indonesia), Europe (11 countries), North America (Mexico), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), and South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

cerf rouge, cerf élaphe

Also known as the red deer, elk are among the largest members of the deer family, with antlered males reaching up to 240 kg. Found across temperate forests and grasslands of Europe, Asia, and North America, where populations were historically separated as distinct subspecies. Males shed and regrow their antlers annually, engaging in dramatic roaring contests during autumn rut. An important game and conservation species across its range.

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 7 countries:

🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇨🇱 Chile 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden