gray wolf vs Red Fox

Canis lupus compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• gray wolf is Critically Endangered while Red Fox is Least Concern.
• gray wolf is carnivore while Red Fox is omnivore.
• gray wolf is 7.5x heavier than Red Fox.
• gray wolf lives longer (13 years vs 5 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	gray wolf	Red Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class same	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)
Order same	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)	Carnivora (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)
Family same	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Canis lupus	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

gray wolf and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Family level: Canidae. (Dogs & Wolves)

Conservation Status

gray wolf

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	gray wolf	Red Fox
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	13 years	5 years
Average Length	1.6 m	70 cm
Average Weight	45.0 kg	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

gray wolf

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.

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).

gray wolf

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.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 7 countries:

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