Mammals
Culpeo Fox
Lycalopex culpaeo · also called Andean fox
Ranging from windswept Patagonian steppe to high Andean peaks, a culpeo fox stands as South America’s second-largest wild canid, an important natural predator of young guanacos across much of its vast elevational range.
Overview
The culpeo fox, Lycalopex culpaeo, is a Least Concern mammal native to grassland, mountain, and desert habitat stretching along the length of the Andes and across Patagonia. Its status as South America’s second-largest wild canid, its exceptionally broad elevational range, and its role as a significant predator of young guanacos make it one of the more ecologically important carnivores found anywhere in the region.
A predator that follows its prey up the mountain
Wherever guanaco herds range across Patagonia and the Andes, the culpeo fox is rarely far behind, its own tolerance for cold, thin mountain air and lowland steppe alike allowing it to track one of its most important prey species across an enormous span of elevation.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across its broad range in the Andes and Patagonia, despite localised conflict with livestock farming.
Culpeo Fox: common questions
How big is the culpeo fox compared with other South American canids?
This species is the second-largest wild canid found in South America, smaller only than the maned wolf found further north on the continent.
Does the culpeo fox prey on guanacos?
Yes, this species preys heavily on young guanacos in parts of its range, making it an important natural predator within Patagonian grassland ecosystems.
Why does the culpeo fox sometimes come into conflict with farmers?
This species is sometimes persecuted by livestock farmers due to occasional predation on sheep, despite its diet consisting mostly of wild prey and carrion rather than domestic animals.
How high in elevation can the culpeo fox be found?
This species ranges from lowland Patagonian steppe up to high Andean peaks thousands of metres above sea level, an unusually broad elevational tolerance for a canid.