Pampas Fox

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Pampas fox
Conservation status
Least concern (LC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Pseudalopex Species: P. gymnocercus
Binomial name
Pseudalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814)

Pampas Fox (Pseudalopex gymnocercus), also known as Azara's fox, is a medium sized zorro (false fox) native to South America.

[edit] Physical description

Pampas fox resemble red foxes, but are smaller and gray. They have short, dense fur that is gray on the back and underparts. The head and neck are reddish, and the ears are triangular, broad and relatively large; the are reddish on the outer surface and white on the inner surface. Pampas foxes weigh 9 to 12 pounds.

[edit] Habitat and diet

Pampas fox can be found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. They prefer grasslands, forest and valleys. Pampas foxes eat plants, rats, fruits, rabbits, frogs, lizards and birds.

[edit] Behavior

Pampas foxes mostly live a solitary life, but come together in breeding season and care for their young. They are most active at dusk and night. They are known to collect parts of clothing and take it back to their den. If a threatening or larger animal comes near them they are known to play dead with their eyes closed and will stay there until the animal leaves...

[edit] References

• Jiménez et al (2004). Pseudalopex gymnocercus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern