.

MundoAndino Home : Argentina Guide at MundoAndino

Culpeo


The Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus), sometimes known as the Culpeo zorro or Andean Fox (Wolf), is a South American species of wild dog. It is the second largest native canid on the continent after the Maned Wolf. In its 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.

Range

Its distribution extends from Ecuador and Peru to the southern regions of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Some populations live in southern regions of Colombia. It is most common on the western slopes of the Andes, where it inhabits open country and deciduous forests. Populations of the Culpeo are also found in some of the westernmost of the Falkland Islands, where they were introduced by humans. The extinct domestic perro yagan was probably a close relative.

Diet

The Culpeo Fox mainly feed on rodents, lagomorphs and occasionally feed on domestic livestock, and young guanacos. They sometimes take young lambs a week old and younger.

Habitat

The culpeo lives in some areas in South America. They usually live in the areas where there are deserts, bushlands, upland mountains, and space plateaus, like Altiplano.

Reproduction

They mostly mating period is from the August to October. After a gestation period of 55-60 days, the female gives birth to cubs. The females usually give birth to 2-5 pups among the rocks.

Subspecies

Lycalopex culpaeus andinus

Lycalopex culpaeus culpaeus

Lycalopex culpaeus lycoides

Lycalopex culpaeus magellanicus

Lycalopex culpaeus reissii

Lycalopex culpaeus smithersi

Didn't find what you were looking for.
Need more information for your travel research or homework?
Ask your questions at the forum about Fauna of Argentina or help others to find answers.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Culpeo


Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - 2009