Mammal · GBIF taxon 2434340
Culpeo
Lycalopex culpaeusAlso known as Andean Fox, Andean Zorro, Paramo Wolf, Andean Wolf
Culpeos dominate as the second-largest native land carnivore in South America, roaming high-altitude paramos, windswept steppes, and temperate forests along the Andes. These solitary hunters rely on sharp eyesight and acute hearing to pounce on small mammals, while supplementing their diet with fruits and seeds. Though their reddish coat and bushy tail give them a fox-like appearance, their stout build and deep bark reveal closer evolutionary ties to wolves and jackals.
CanidAndeanCarnivore
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- European Hare
- Degu
- Chinchilla
Predators
- Puma
- Andean Condor
ThreatsIllegal hunting, retaliatory killing by farmers, habitat loss
HabitatsAndean grasslands, paramo, scrublands, temperate forests
Life span7 to 11 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCanidae
- SpeciesLycalopex culpaeus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Wild canids can deliver a painful bite if cornered; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with strong jaws and sharp canine teeth that can inflict deep puncture wounds if threatened or cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a tawny grey body with reddish legs, a long bushy tail with a black tip, and large erect ears.
- What to do
- Maintain a distance of at least 15 meters and back away slowly if the animal displays signs of aggression.
Responsible observation
- Observing in the Wild: Look for them during dawn or dusk along mountain ridges and open slopes.
- Avoid Feeding: Never offer food, as habituated individuals may become bold or aggressive toward humans.
Competitor National Park Service / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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