Lion vs Red Fox

Panthera leo compared with Vulpes vulpes

Key Differences

• Lion is Vulnerable while Red Fox is Least Concern.
• Lion is carnivore while Red Fox is omnivore.
• Lion is 31.7x heavier than Red Fox.
• Lion lives longer (15 years vs 5 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lion	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	Felidae (Cats)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Panthera (Big Cats)	Vulpes (Foxes)
Species	Panthera leo	Vulpes vulpes

Evolutionary Relationship

Lion and Red Fox share a common ancestor at the Order level: Carnivora. (สัตว์กินเนื้อ)

Conservation Status

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Red Fox

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lion	Red Fox
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	15 years	5 years
Average Length	2.5 m	70 cm
Average Weight	190.0 kg	6.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable 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).

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

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.