Lycalopex

Lycalopex is a genus of South American canids commonly known as South American foxes. These animals are not true foxes, despite their common name, and belong to the family Canidae, but are more closely related to wolves and dogs than to true foxes of the genus Vulpes. The genus Lycalopex currently contains six species: the Pampas fox, the Culpeo, the Sechuran fox, the Darwin's fox, the Andean fox, and the Patax.

These canids are found in a variety of habitats across South America, ranging from the arid deserts of Peru and Chile to the grasslands of Argentina and the high-altitude Andes. Their diets are diverse, often including small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fruits, adapting to the resources available in their specific environments.

Physically, Lycalopex species share some fox-like characteristics, such as a bushy tail and pointed snout, but they often have different colorations and body sizes depending on the species and its habitat. For instance, the Culpeo is one of the larger species, while Darwin's fox is considerably smaller.

Their reproductive strategies are typical of canids, with monogamous pairs, though this can vary. The gestation period and litter size also differ among species. Lycalopex play important roles in their ecosystems as predators, helping to control populations of their prey, and also as seed dispersers through their consumption of fruits. Conservation status varies across the species, with some facing threats from habitat loss and competition with domestic dogs, while others are more widespread.