South America’s most abundant wild canid belongs to the genus Lycalopex, also known as ‘false foxes’. Widespread and resourceful, it slips though the grasslands, scrub and farmland of the Southern Cone, feeding on whatever the season provides.
Unfortunately, its appetite for livestock, including poultry and lambs, means its presence has not always been welcomed by its human neighbours.
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Where does the pampas fox live?
It ranges through eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, Uruguay, south-eastern Brazil and much of northern and central Argentina, south to Río Negro Province.
As its name suggests, it is strongly associated with the Pampas, the vast temperate grasslands of South America, but it is not limited to open plains. It can also be found in dry scrub, coastal dunes, open woodland, grazed pasture and cropland.
What does the the pampas fox look like?
The pampas fox looks pleasingly fox-like, with pointed ears, a narrow muzzle, a bushy tail and a quick, light-footed way of moving through grass. Its coat is generally brindled grey across the back, with paler grey or whitish underparts. The head, neck, ears and outer legs often have a reddish or tawny wash, while the muzzle is dark. The tail usually has a dark tip and a black mark on the upper side of the base.
How big is it?
Not including its tail it is about 62cm long and weighs 4.2–6.5kg
What does the pampas fox eat?
The pampas fox is an opportunistic omnivore that adapts its diet according to its habitat and the season. In grassland areas, much of its food intake is animal-based and includes rodents, hares, rabbits, birds, lizards, frogs, insects and carrion. Near farms and settlements, it may take domestic poultry and lambs, which has contributed to its uneasy relationship with rural communities. However, in the dry Chaco woodland of north-western Argentina, one study found that fleshy fruits dominated the diet.
Is the pampas fox dangerous?
Like many wild canids, the pampas fox is generally shy and elusive, and will avoid humans. One of its stranger reported behaviours is a form of death-feigning. When startled by a person, a pampas fox may throw itself to the ground, lie rigid with its eyes closed and remain still until the threat has passed.
On the subject of odd behaviour, it is also said to collect apparently useless objects, such as pieces of cloth or leather, which have been found in dens. Quite why it does this is uncertain, but it gives this otherwise pragmatic canid an eccentric edge.
How does the pampas fox breed?
The pampas fox is solitary for most of the year, but the breeding season, which usually takes place between July and October, brings pairs together to mate and raise young. The pampas fox is monogamous during this time, though it is not clear whether pairs remain together in subsequent years.
After a gestation of around 55–60 days, the female gives birth to one to five pups, often in a den among rocks, beneath tree roots or in a burrow made by another animal. The pups are born dark, almost black, and become lighter as they grow. Both parents help to raise them. The female nurses the young in the den, while the male brings food to her and the pups. At about two to three months old, the youngsters begin to leave the den and hunt with their parents.
Can the pampas fox breed with a domestic dog?
It can, though the only confirmed case is extraordinary. In 2021, an injured female canid was found in Vacaria, southern Brazil. Genetic tests later showed that she was a hybrid between a pampas fox and a domestic dog, nicknamed ‘dogxim’ or ‘graxorra’.
She had 76 chromosomes, midway between the dog’s 78 and the pampas fox’s 74. Scientists described it as the first documented case of hybridisation between the two species.
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Is the pampas fox useful to the ecosystem?
Yes. By feeding on rodents and other small animals, the pampas fox helps to control prey populations, including some species that can damage crops. This makes its relationship with farming more complicated than simple conflict.
What threats does it face?
The pampas fox is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and populations are generally considered stable. It is common or abundant in many areas and appears able to tolerate a degree of human disturbance, including extensive ranching and agriculture.
However, this does not mean it faces no pressure. Much of its natural grassland habitat has been heavily altered, and the species is still persecuted in some rural areas because of real or perceived livestock losses. Poisoning, trapping, bounty systems and illegal hunting can all affect local populations. The fur trade has also been important historically, though international trade is now restricted.
