European polecat vs Northern Red-backed Vole

Mustela putorius compared with Myodes rutilus

Key Differences

• European polecat is Vulnerable while Northern Red-backed Vole is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European polecat	Northern Red-backed Vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (cordados)	Chordata (cordados)
Class same	Mammalia (mamíferos)	Mammalia (mamíferos)
Order	Carnivora (carnívoros)	Rodentia (Roedores)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Cricetidae
Genus	Mustela	Myodes
Species	Mustela putorius	Myodes rutilus

Evolutionary Relationship

European polecat and Northern Red-backed Vole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mamíferos)

Conservation Status

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

Northern Red-backed Vole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European polecat	Northern Red-backed Vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European polecat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries) and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Northern Red-backed Vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

European polecat

O furão-europeu (Mustela putorius) está classificado como Vulnerável (VU) na Lista Vermelha da UICN. Enfrenta alto risco de ameaça no estado selvagem, com populações em declínio e crescente pressão sobre o habitat.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden