DARWIN’S FOX
Yes, we’re talking about Charles Darwin. Darwin discovered this fox in 1834, while on his voyage aboard the Beagle. This beautiful fox is one of the smallest of all the fox species. It has a rather short, stout and elongated body, and its narrow muzzle expands to a rounded head and sharp ears. Its grizzled coat is shades of black and grey with a bit of brown and cream over the eyes, on the chest, and at the tips of the ears.
Photo credit: World Wildlife Federation
It is endemic to Chile and according to the IUCN*, it is critically endangered due to habitat destruction. Their populations are fragmented and at this point in time, there are less than 400 in the wild. Threats to this lovely fox include habitat destruction and predation by domestic dogs.
Photo credit: World Wildlife Federation
Darwin’s Fox is an omnivore and will eat just about anything from small mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians, beetles and even fruits and berries. This works in the animal’s favor because its available food supply changes with the seasons. It grows to be about twenty inches long and weighs anywhere from four to eight pounds.
There are two main populations. One is located on the mainland of Chile, while the other is located on the island of Chiloé.
Strangely enough, on the island, Darwin’s Fox leads a solitary life. On the mainland, they seem to prefer to travel in pairs. It is considered an ‘umbrella species,’ which means that protection of their environment is crucial in order to preserve the animal itself. According to Encyclopedia of the Earth, an umbrella species is defined as: “…a species…sensitive to habitat changes. Thus monitoring this one species and managing for its continued success results in the maintenance of high-quality habitat for the other species in the area.” (http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156765/)
I found an interesting video for you. It is narrated by a youngster who provides some good information. Take a moment to watch.
If you would like to learn more about Darwin's Fox, visit the following sites.
*IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature
My thanks to arkive.org for some of the information and photos, and I thank you for stopping by to visit with me and Darwin's Fox. Feel free to leave a comment, and share the information.
Enjoy!
Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author
The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland
Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages!
What an interesting post. I learned a lot. Thanks for the images to help tell your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Lisa. I'm glad you found the post interesting.
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