Often called the Andean fox, it is a remarkable wild canine found across South America. It has a reddish-brown coat, a white underside, and a long, bushy tail that helps it balance while moving through rugged landscapes. This adaptable predator lives in many different environments, ranging from the towering Andes Mountains to the open Patagonian steppe. Despite its relatively large size for a wild dog, the Culpeo can slip through its surroundings almost unnoticed, thanks to its quiet and cautious nature.

One of the most fascinating things about the Culpeo is its ability to eat a wide variety of foods. It hunts small mammals like rodents and rabbits, but it can also feed on birds, lizards, eggs, and even fruit when other prey is scarce. This flexible diet, along with its skill at blending into different habitats, helps the Culpeo survive where other animals might struggle. People who study these foxes have also observed their cleverness in finding new sources of food. Some have seen Culpeos boldly approach human settlements in search of scraps, while others have been spotted digging for rodents high in the mountains.

Culpeos are known for their sharp problem-solving skills. They can learn new hunting strategies quickly and adapt when their usual food supply disappears. They usually live alone or in pairs, which makes them difficult to track, but wildlife experts have heard a wide range of calls and bark that they use to communicate. Some of these sounds may serve to mark territory, while others are made to warn rivals away.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Argentina

2016

Bolivia

2016

Chile

2016

Colombia

2016

Ecuador

2016

Peru

2016