Head to head
Huemul vs Darwin's Fox
Huemul
VS Darwin's Fox
Both mammals face severe conservation pressure in Chile, though their threats and ranges differ.
| Huemul | Darwin's Fox | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hippocamelus bisulcus | Lycalopex fulvipes |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Endangered |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Mammal group | Deer | Fox |
| Range | Small fraction of southern Andes range | Two small isolated populations |
| Main threat | Livestock competition and disease | Habitat loss and disease from domestic dogs |
| National significance | Featured on Chile's coat of arms | Named after Charles Darwin |
| Habitat | Forest, mountains | Forest, coastal |
Huemul vs Darwin's Fox: common questions
Which animal is a national symbol?
The huemul is, appearing on Chile's national coat of arms alongside the Andean condor, a distinction Darwin's fox does not share.
Which animal has a smaller total population?
Darwin's fox does, numbering only in the low hundreds across two isolated populations, among the rarest canid populations on Earth.
Do both animals face threats from domestic animals?
Yes, the huemul faces disease from livestock while Darwin's fox faces disease from domestic dogs, though the specific threat and source differ.