Canids of South America
Canids are all animals in the family of wolves, foxes, coyotes and dogs. We know many of them to some extent, but there are some here in South America that are different from any of these species. For example, wolves are very different from foxes or coyotes, so they are classified in different groups. This is also true for the animals mentioned below, which, despite their names, are not dogs, foxes, coyotes, or wolves.
Except for the canids of the genus Lycalopex, each belongs to its own group — being the only ones of its kind.
Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus)
It has a short head, snout, ears, and legs, and a chubby body. Although it is a small animal, weighing from 5 to 8 kg. Because it is extremely adapted to aquatic environments, it is considered a semi-aquatic species - it can dive and swim very easily.
It can take down much larger animals - such as peccaries, rheas and even tapirs. It is the only Brazilian canid that walks in packs, and because they are social animals, decisions are always made as a group: if an individual wants to do something, it needs the approval of the others. For example, if one of the individuals wants to get up and leave after resting, and none of the other members of the pack follow him, he will return and try to convince the others to follow him - always in line.
The vinegar dog can be found in most of South America, with the exception of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. In Brazil, it is only absent from Rio Grande do Sul and part of the Caatinga. Despite its presence in most of the country, it is rarely sighted, making it difficult to estimate the number of individuals. Nevertheless, the species is threatened by the destruction of its habitat.
Although physically very different, it is believed to be the canid that is genetically closest to the maned wolf.
Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus)
The pampas fox is found in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and southern Brazil. It is tolerant of human interference and is well adapted to rural areas. It is an opportunistic omnivore and feeds mainly on small animals and fruits, but its diet can change according to what is available in its habitat.
In Brazil, the species is protected by law and classified as “of low concern”, except in the state of Paraná, where it is threatened by habitat destruction. In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, the pampas fox used to be hunted extensively, mainly for its fur. Although the practice has been banned, there is still a demand, but reduced. They are also hunted because they are mistaken for predators of domestic animals.
Sechuran fox (Lycalopex sechurae)
It is found only in the deserts of the northern coast of Peru. It is the smallest of the South American foxes, weighing from 2.5 to 4.5 kg. The Sechuan Fox is an opportunistic omnivore, and depending on the season and availability of food, its diet can vary greatly, being strictly herbivorous when necessary.
It usually feeds on seed shells, insects, fruits, bird eggs, rodents and carrion. Because it inhabits deserts, it is thought that the species can survive for long periods without drinking water, obtaining water only from food.
It is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, as they usually invade farms and steal vegetables or chickens. In addition, some people use its body parts in handicrafts, rituals and traditional medicine.
South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus)
It is also known as the Patagonian fox, chilla, or gray zorro. Like the Pampas Fox and the Sechuan Fox, it is classified as a false fox and will eat whatever is available. It can adapt to a wide range of climates, living from the Atacama Desert to the snowy mountains of Chile and Argentina, and is one of the animals found in the extreme south of South America. The species is listed as “least concern” but is targeted by hunters for its fur and for attacking lambs.
Darwin’s fox (Lycalopex fulvipes)
They are small animals, weighing between 1.5 and 4 kg. They are found only on the island of Chiloé and in some ecological reserves in Chile. It is estimated that there are no more than 2,500 of these animals and they are considered one of the most endangered carnivores in the world.
The main threats to their survival are habitat destruction, attacks or diseases transmitted by domestic dogs, and hunting by poultry farmers who consider them a threat to their chickens. The species is protected, with hunting and capture prohibited throughout Chile.
Hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus)
The hoary fox is the only canid that is endemic to Brazil. It lives mainly in the Cerrado and areas of transitional biomes.
It is a very little studied and known species, but it is known that it feeds mainly on termites, beetles and grasshoppers. Depending on the availability of the region and the season, it may eat fruit and small animals.
The main threats to the conservation of this species (as for all the other animals mentioned here) are the destruction of its habitat, retaliation because it is thought to be a predator of chickens, being run over by cars, and diseases transmitted by domestic dogs. Approximately 50% of these animals die outside of protected areas due to human causes. The species is listed as “near threatened”.
Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus)
The culpeo, also known as the culpeo zorro, Andean zorro, Andean fox, Andean wolf, and Paramo wolf, is the second largest canid of South America, surpassed only by the maned wolf. Like the other foxes and greyhounds mentioned here, it is neither a fox nor a wolf, despite its name.
Its diet is as varied as its habitat. The Culpeo is mostly found along the Andes, from southern Colombia to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It has been found from coastal regions up to 4,500 meters above sea level. To give you an idea, at this altitude the air becomes thinner and there is less oxygen, making it difficult to breathe. Very few cities in the world have been built at this altitude.
Some people hunt them for their coat, for traditional medicine, and especially to reduce predation by livestock. And although the size of its population is not known for sure, it is considered a species of little concern and abundant.
Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)
It is also known as the wood fox or maikong. It can be found throughout South America with the exception of Chile, Peru and Ecuador. Three of the five subspecies are found in Brazil.
It is a generalist omnivore, like other canids, so it plays an important role in preserving the environment. It is a great disperser of native fruit seeds, besides helping to control insects, small mammals, fish and crabs.
Because it is very similar to a dog, it was domesticated by some ancient peoples of Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia, but currently its captive breeding is prohibited.
The bush dog is common and not endangered. However, some of the causes of mortality for this animal are: diseases transmitted by domestic dogs, illegal hunting and mainly being run over by cars - being one of the most run over mammal species in Brazil.
Short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)
It has a dark brown coloration, short ears of only 3 to 5 cm (1 or 2 inches), and short legs that reach only 35 cm (13 inches) in height. Despite its small size, its robust body makes it one of the heaviest canids in South America, weighing up to 10 kg. Unlike the other species mentioned here, it is omnivorous but preferentially carnivorous.
It is a very elusive animal that usually inhabits closed and humid forests. It is found in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and in Brazil only in the Amazon rainforest.
Very little is known about this animal. It is one of the rarest and least known canids in the world, so it is not possible to estimate the number of individuals. However, it is listed as “near threatened” due to increasing habitat loss, prey depletion (especially from deforestation in the Amazon), and disease transmission from domestic dogs.
Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
The maned wolf is the largest, most exuberant, and most famous canid in Brazil and South America. It inhabits the open areas and savannas of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia.
It can reach 30 kg (66 lb) and 90 cm (35 in) to shoulder height (withers). Its long, thin legs help it to move nimbly in rocky environments and in tall grass.
The maned wolf’s diet consists largely of fruits of the wolf apple (Solanum lycocarpum), a plant from the tomato family, and a few other plants. Because it can eliminate the seeds intact, this makes it a great seed disperser. Besides plants, it can also feed on small vertebrates and even the carcasses of larger animals.
Although it is not considered to be in danger of extinction, the real situation of its population is not known, therefore, all countries where it lives classify it as endangered, to a greater or lesser degree. This is due to the fact that there is habitat destruction for the expansion of agriculture, road kill, hunting, and diseases transmitted by domestic dogs.
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