The grey fox (Lycalopex griseus or Pseudalopex griseus), also known as chilla, Pampas fox or Patagonian gray fox, is a type fox native to South America, whose population is concentrated mainly in areas near the Andes Mountains. These canids stand out for their large size in relation to other fox species, including those traditional to the Old World, and a mostly grayish coat that gives rise to their most popular name.
Origin of the Gray Fox
The gray fox is native to the southern region of South America, being distributed from both sides of the Andes Mountains, between Argentina and Chile, to the central region of the South American Southern Cone, between Bolivia and Uruguay. It is also possible to find some specimens living in Peru, but much more scarcely. In Argentina, this species has a very wide distribution, concentrating mainly in the semi-arid zones of the center of the country, which includes the regions Pampas and Patagonians But its population also lives in Argentine South Patagonia, extending to the province of Tierra del Fuego, from the Río Grande to the Atlantic coast.
On the Chilean side of the Andes, these canids are more known as chillas and live mainly in rural areas in the center and south of the country, from the Pacific coast to the Cordillera. The gray foxes were so representative and common in these areas that they gave the city of Chillán its name. In Chile, gray foxes have adapted better than in other places to living near urbanized areas, but hunting is still a major threat to their survival in this Andean country.
The gray fox is described for the first time in 1857 thanks to the investigations of the English naturalist, zoologist and botanist John Edward Gray. Because these canids were similar to the " true foxes" of the Old World, especially the red fox, Gray originally records them as Vulpes griseus. Several years later, the gray fox is transferred to the genus Lycalopex, to which other species of South American foxes belong, such as the Darwin's fox, the red fox and the Pampas fox. But it is also possible to find the synonymy Pseudalopex griseus to refer to this species.
Aspect of the chilla
Although it is considered a small canid, the gray fox has a remarkable size in relation to the other foxes. Its body usually measures between 70 and 100 cm in total length in adulthood, including its tail, which can be up to 30 cm long. Their average body weight is estimated to be between 2.5 and 4.5 kg, with females being slightly smaller and slimmer than males.
Its name, as we can guess, refers to its coat color, which is usually mostly grayish on its back and back But some yellowish areas can be seen on its head and legs, black spots on its chin and the tip of its tail, and some black bands on its thighs and on the back of its tail. In addition, their belly usually exhibits a whitish color, and reddish reflections may appear near their ears.
Complementing the outstanding physical characteristics of gray foxes, we must mention the pointed snout, the large and triangular ears with slightly rounded tips, and the long tail that contributes to its balance and helps it propel itself when wants to climb the trees of its natural habitat.
Grey Fox Behavior
Without a doubt, the most remarkable and curious feature of the gray fox's behavior is its amazing ability to climb through trees and other surfaces. In fact, this is the only species of fox in which this behavior has been observed, which clearly helps it to escape from possible predators and have a privileged view of its own habitat, also collaborating for better hunting. Another characteristic hunting habit of gray foxes is that they often take advantage of their good water performance to drown their prey, preventing it from escaping. In fact, these canids are very good swimmers and can even use the water to cool off on warmer days.
Speaking of hunting, the gray fox is an omnivorous animal that maintains a very varied diet in its habitat. In addition to hunting their own prey, which are mainly mammals and birds of small and medium size, these canids can also take advantage of the carrion left by other predators, and usually consume fruits to supplement your nutrition.
If it is in a season or region where food is scarce, the gray fox can also behave as an opportunistic carnivore, capturing the eggs of other animals, and also hunting reptiles and arthropods. And when they adapt to living near cities and towns, they can attack poultry or take advantage of the waste of human food.
Grey Fox Reproduction
The breeding season for gray foxes typically occurs between the months of August and October, beginning in late winter in the hemisphere South. But the mating period can vary significantly depending on the habitat in which individuals live. These canids are monogamous and faithful to their partner, always meeting the same one in each reproductive season, until one of the two dies. Likewise, they usually spend a long time without mating until they feel ready to choose a new partner.
Like all canids, gray foxes are viviparous animals, that is, fertilization and development of the young take place inside the womb. The females undergo a gestation period of 52 to 60 days, after which they usually give birth to litters of 4 to 7 pups, which will be suckled until they complete their 4 or 5 months of life. A few days before giving birth, the female will look for or build, with the help of the male, a kind of cave or burrow, in which she can be protected to give birth and take care of her young.
The male participates during the nursing and rearing of the cubs, bringing food to the burrow so that the female stays strong and he althy to feed the young, and helping to protect the shelter. The pups begin to leave the burrow and explore the outside environment shortly after their first month of life. But they will remain with their mothers until they are about 6 or 7 months old, and will only reach sexual maturity after their first year of life.
Gray Fox Conservation Status
Despite being considered a species of "least concern" according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the gray fox population is declining at an alarming rate in the Pampas and Patagonian regions of Argentina and Chile.
hunting continues to be one of the main threats to the survival of the gray fox, as well as human intervention in ecosystems. With the advance of man on its habitat and the adaptation of the gray fox to the surroundings of urbanized areas, hunting has intensified mainly because small producers try to protect their poultry and sheep. In addition, gray foxes have been hunted for several years for the marketing of their fur, which has a high market value for making coats and other clothing of clothing"Sport hunting" is another cruel and unnecessary practice that puts the conservation of this and many other South American species at risk.
Fortunately, a large part of the gray fox population in Chile and mainly in Argentina are already found in National Parks and other protected regions, in which hunting is prohibited and its population does not interfere with the economic and subsistence activities of the local population.
