ZORRO

ZORROS are also known as…

Zorro Chilote

Zorro de Chilote

Zorro de Darwin

Darwin's Zorro 

               

INTRODUCTION:

 Though zorro is the Spanish word for fox, the zorro is actually a "false fox" and is more closely related to dog-like canids than to true foxes. There are many species of zorro, which is actually the genus name. The most numerous species of the genus is Pseudalopex griseus, the Argentine Grey Fox or Grey Zorro with large ears and a russet-fringed pelt. In general, zorros are long-haired, bushy-tailed, grayish animals, between 20 and 30 inches in length.

The Peruvian Desert Fox has a somewhat limited range and can only be found on the coast of north-western Peru and south-western Ecuador. This animal frequently lives in agricultural, dry forests, and sandy deserts. Peruvian desert foxes are about eight-five centimeters, or two-point-eight feet, long including their tails. They usually weight between four and five kilograms, or about nine to eleven pounds. This animal is the smallest known species of zorro. Peruvian desert foxes are mostly grey with a lighter underbelly, although they sometimes have some reddish brown or tan patches of fur as well.

FACT FILE:

 

Latin Name               : Lycalopex  fulvipes

Common Name        : Savanna fox; Crab-eating fox; Common zorro

Conservation Status : Critically Endangered

Location                    : South America

Colour                      : Dark Grey 

Length                      : 53 cms (21 inches)

Tail                            : 22 cms (9 inches)

Weight                      : 2 - 3 Kgs (4.4 - 6.6 lbs)

Life Expectancy       : Up to 7 Yrs (Wild)

Head-Body Length   : 60-70 cm

Weight                      : 5-8 kg

Identification             : The savanna fox is a gray-brown color with darker ears, tail tip, and tail stripe.

Geographic Range   : Northern South America

Habitat                      : Open woodlands, grasslands

Diet                           : crabs, small rodents, insects, lizards, eggs, frogs

Reproduction            : Females have 2-6 cubs each breeding season.

Social Structure        : This canid species is solitary.

Behavior                   : Savanna foxes are nocturnal animals.

Status                       : No special status

Keyword                   : dog, canine

Characteristics:

Darwin's Foxes have a body length of approximately 53 cms (21 inches), a tail length of approximately 22 cms (9 inches), and they weigh between 2 and 3 kgs (4.4 - 6.6 lbs). They are dark grey in colour with a pale coloured underside.

SCIENTIFIC  CLASSIFICATION:

# Kingdom : Animalia

              # Phylum : Chordata

                            # Class : Mammalia

                                           # Order : Carnivora

                                                         # Family : Canidae

                                                                         # Genus : Dusicyon

                                                                                             # Genus Species : D. thous

Habitat:

                                     

Zorros inhabit South America, from Colombia to north Argentina. The Grey Zorro occurs in the plains, pampas, deserts, and low mountains of Southern South America. It prefers the edge of the forest, where sandy soils, shrub trees and low grasslands prevail. It is most numerous in Chile, but also inhabits Argentina, as its common name suggests, and maintains a small population in Peru. This species of zorro inhabits both sides of the Andes Mountain Range between northernmost Chile and Tierra del Fuego.

These animals have a limited range, so habitat loss can have a very negative impact on their population. Habitat loss and degradation are considered the biggest factors in the Peruvian Desert Fox’s decline. This animal is also often hunted for various uses. Parts of the animal are used as souvenirs while others are used in rituals by certain shamans in the area. Finally pups are taken to be sold in the pet trade. The final major threat to these mammals is that they are often killed by farmers because they are a threat to livestock.

The Peruvian Desert Fox is an intelligent and hard to find species. Hopefully more will be known about these animals in the near future. More information would also help conservation efforts to better understand and protect this animal

.

Darwin's Foxes can be found in the temperate forests of Chile, South America. They exist in two small, distinct populations; one population is on the island of Chiloé and they other is in the Nahuelbuta National Park.

Diet:

The zorro is an omnivore. Its diet consists mainly of rodents, birds, and rabbits, but it will also eat seeds, berries, armadillos, insects, scorpions, lizards, frogs, and bird eggs. The zorro is helpful in controlling rodent populations.Darwin's Foxes mainly feed on small mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, insects and fruits.

BEHAVIOR:

These animals are nocturnal and spend much of their days inside a burrow. They dig these burrows themselves using their curved claws. While sleeping, Peruvian desert foxes tend to wrap their tails around themselves to keep warm. These animals prefer a diet made up mostly of meat, although they will eat other items as well. Some of the foods typically eaten by them are birds, insects, seed pods, berries, small mammals, reptiles etc. These animals are opportunistic and will even eat carrion. They will often use their claws to dig up food if necessary.

REPRODUCTION:

Little is known about reproduction in Darwin's Foxes. They breed once a year in October and they produce litters of 2 - 3 cubs. Very little is known about the socialization and reproductive cycles of Peruvian desert foxes, although it is known that the young are born in October. It has been difficult for scientists to keep track of their population trends as well, but it is thought that less than fifteen thousand adults are left in the wild. It is estimated that these animals will face a ten percent population decline in the next decade. These animals are currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There are a few factors that contribute to the decline of these zorros .

Social Environment:

Zorros are mainly nocturnal animals. Social animals, zorros live in abandoned burrows or in dens among rocks or trees. They breed in the fall. By October, after a gestation period of two months, two to six kits are born in a den. Both zorro parents will care for the litters.

Animal Fact:

Zorros are hunted in Argentina where they have the name "lamb-killer." In fact, zorros rarely kill lambs though they will prey on weaker or sick lambs if hungry.

Predators:

Predators of Darwin's Foxes have not been documented.

                      That's all about ZORRO!!!!!!!!!!!