Zorro culpeo, Andean fox, Andean zorro, Paramo wolf, Andean wolf
The culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus ), sometimes known as the zorro culpeo, Andean zorro, Andean fox, Paramo wolf, Andean wolf, and colpeo fox, is a species of South American fox. Regardless of the name, it is not a true fox, but more closely related to wolves and jackals. Its appearance resembles that of foxes due to convergent evolution.
It is the second-largest native canid on the continent after the maned wolf. In appearance, it bears many similarities to the widely recognized red fox. It has grey and reddish fur, a white chin, reddish legs and a stripe on its back that may be barely visible.
The culpeo's diet consists largely of rodents, rabbits, birds and lizards, and to a lesser extent, plant material and carrion. The culpeo does attack sheep on occasion and is, therefore, often hunted or poisoned. In some regions, it has become rare, but overall the species is not threatened with extinction.
The culpeo was domesticated to form the Fuegian dog, but this animal is now extinct.
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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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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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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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ScavengerScavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While sc...
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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...
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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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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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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Semi-domesticatedSemi-domestic animals are those that may or may not be fully domesticated. Many of them could not be released into the wild, or are in some way dep...
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WildWild animals are those that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. They can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, forests,...
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starts withThe Culpeo is a South American fox species. It is the second-largest native canid on the continent, after the Maned wolf. Culpeos have grey and reddish fur, a white chin, reddish legs and a stripe on their back that may be barely visible. The neck and shoulders are often tawny to rufous in color, while the upper back is dark. The bushy tail has a black tip.
Culpeos are found in South America. Their range extends from Ecuador and Peru to the southern regions of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Some populations live in the southern regions of Colombia. Culpeos are most common on the western slopes of the Andes. These animals live in a wide variety of habitats including broadleaf temperate southern beech forest, sclerophyllous matorral, rugged and mountain terrain, deep valleys, deserts, and high plateaus, like the Altiplano.
Culpeos are generally solitary creatures except during the breeding season. During this time they are found with their mates and offspring. Time of activity depends on location. Culpeos that live in Argentina, the Chilean desert, Magallanes Culpeos, and highland Peru are active during the night, while those living in central Chile are diurnal or crepuscular. In order to communicate with each other, these animals use physical cues, scents, postures, and sounds. They have been seen making mixed growls and scream noises.
These omnivorous animals are opportunistic predators that will take any variety of prey. They are mainly carnivores hunting on rodents, rabbits, birds, and lizards. Culpeos also eat eggs of different reptiles and birds, carrion and sometimes plants and fruit.
Little is known about the mating system in culpeos. The breeding season occurs between August and October. After a gestation period of 55-60 days, the female gives birth usually to between 2 and 5 pups. Young are born naked, with the eyes closed. They weigh around 170 grams. Pups are usually weaned at 2 months of age and reach full size when they are 7 months old. Reproductive maturity is reached after about 1 year of age.
Main threats to these animals include hunting and persecution, and trapping for their fur. Culpeos attack livestock and poultry on occasion and are therefore often hunted or poisoned.
According to IUCN, the culpeo is abundant and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Culpeos play a very important role in their ecosystem. As predators of various species, culpeos control their population. They also play an important role in seed dispersal as they eat fruits. It's even recorded that especially the seeds of peumo and Peruvian pepper germinate at higher rates if defecated by culpeos. By eating the carrion, these animals also help in biodegradation.
Culpeos were domesticated in order to form the Fuegian dog, but this animal became extinct sometime between 1880 and 1919.
