Patagonian fox, Chilla, Gray zorro, South American gray fox
The South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus ), also known as the Patagonian fox, the chilla or the gray zorro, is a species of Lycalopex, the "false" foxes. It is endemic to the southern part of South America.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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ScavengerScavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While sc...
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe South American gray fox is a species of the "false" foxes native to the southern part of South America. Their head is reddish-brown flecked with white. The ears are large and there is a distinct black spot on the chin. The pelage is brindled, with agouti guard hairs and a short, dense pale undercoat. The underparts are pale grey. The limbs are tawny and the thighs are crossed by a dark bar. The long, bushy tail of these animals has a dark dorsal stripe and dark tip with a paler, mottled underside.
South American gray foxes are found in the Southern Cone of South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. They live in a variety of habitats, from the warm, arid scrublands of the Argentine uplands and the cold, arid Patagonian steppe to the forests of southernmost Chile. These foxes generally inhabit plains and low mountains and prefer shrubby open areas.
South American gray foxes are largely solitary creatures. They are nocturnal and hunt their prey at night. These foxes sometimes go near human habitations in search of food such as chickens and sheep but tend to avoid areas visited by dogs.
South American gray foxes are omnivores and their diet varies in different parts of their range and at different times of the year. It consists mainly of mammals, birds, arthropods, bird eggs, reptiles, fruit, and carrion.
South American gray foxes are monogamous which means that both males and females have only one partner and live in pairs. Some males, however, may mate with other subordinate females which will then help to rear the kits of the primary female. These animals breed in late austral fall, around March. After a gestation period of 2 months, two to four kits are born in a den. Both parents help to care for the young. When the kits are 4-6 weeks old, they start to leave the den with their mothers. Reproductive maturity is reached at 1 year age.
The main threat to these animals is hunting for their pelt. The foxes sometimes go near human habitations in search of food such as chickens and sheep and thus, are perceived as livestock and poultry predators by many rural people in Argentina and Chile.
The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the South American gray fox total population size, but this animal is common and widespread throughout its known range. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
These animals plan an important role in the ecosystem they live in. They are useful as scavengers of carrion and as dispersers of the seeds of the fruit they eat.
