European Badger (Meles meles) and European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes crucigera) skull comparison.

I often see people confusing the two, but when seen side by side the differences are obvious! The badger’s skull is shorter and wider with thick, sturdy bone and a large sagittal crest giving them a very powerful bite. The teeth of the badger also reflect it’s status as an omnivore, with large fangs suitable for tearing flesh and flattened molars for chewing vegetation. Another interesting feature of the badger’s skull is that the jaws are permanently attached to the upper skull and wont come apart. 

The fox, on the other hand, has a much slimmer skull with long, slender jaws and carnivorous teeth, although like the badger it does have a varied, omnivorous diet. The fox also has only a tiny sagittal crest and it’s bite power is fairly weak compared to that of a badger. 

Badgers are basically a sturdy powerhouse while foxes are light and dainty!