Forest fox, Wood fox, Common fox, Common Zorro, Zorro, bushdog, Maikong
The Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a species of medium-sized canid native to the central part of South America. It is not closely related to true foxes. The part of its scientific name comes from the Greek words kerdo (meaning fox) and kyon (dog) because of the dog- and fox-like characteristics of this animal.
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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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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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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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CarnivoreA 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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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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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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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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ViviparousAmong 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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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 Crab-eating fox has short, strong legs and its tail is long and bushy. The coat is short and thick. Coloration varies from grey to brown, to yellowish, to pale, to dark grey. There is a black streak along the back legs, with a black stripe along the spine. On the muzzle, ears, and paws there is more reddish fur. The tail, legs and ear tips are black. The ears are wide and round. The torso is somewhat narrow; legs are short but strong. The dense hairy tail stays upright when they are excited. There is significant variation in color between population, from very dark to light grey-yellow.
The Crab-eating fox lives in central South America. It ranges from Colombia and Venezuela as far as Uruguay, Paraguay, and Northern Argentina. Its habitat mostly includes savannas and woodlands; however, it is known to live in a range of other areas including edge and forested areas. It may prefer higher areas during the rainy season, moving to lowlands in the dry season.
The Crab-eating fox is mainly nocturnal and is also active during dusk, spending the day in a den dug by other animals. These foxes travel together in pairs but hunt as individuals. Their territory ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 km2. In the dry season, these foxes tend to be more territorial than in the wet season, though overlap of territories often occurs. Hideouts and dens are often in thick grass and bushes; each den usually has many entrance holes. Despite being capable diggers, the foxes prefer to take over the burrows of other animals. Hunting methods differ according to the type of prey. They make several characteristic sounds, including barking, howling, and whining, when pairs of foxes lose contact.
The Crab-eating fox is an omnivore, mainly feeding on crabs, fish, reptiles, rodents, birds, insects, eggs, and fruit.
Crab-eating foxes are monogamous. They often breed two times a year, 7 to 8 months apart, sometimes with a peak in births in January, February or sometimes March, and again in September to October. November or December is when the reproductive period usually begins, and again in July. Gestation lasts for 52 - 59 days, females giving birth to 2 - 6 cubs. The fox cubs are born with their eyes and ears shut, and without teeth. Their eyes open at 14 days. At 30 days they can start digesting solid food and at 3 months they are weaned. Sexual maturity is reached at 9 months.
The main threat to these animals is from pathogenic infection from dogs, as foxes forage in human refuse dumps alongside unvaccinated domestic dogs at park boundaries in Brazil’s Serra da Canastra National Park. This habitat of the crab-eating fox is gradually shrinking as a result of human activity, including agriculture, as well as the encroachment of feral dogs on its territory.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Crab-eating fox total population size. Curently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable.
Crab-eating foxes play an important role as predators in the ecosystems they inhabit by controlling populations of small mammals, insects, fish, and crabs.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...