Culpeo
Lycalopex culpaeus
The culpeo, also known as Culpeo zorro, Andean zorro, Andean fox, Paramo wolf, Andean wolf, and colpeo fox, is a species of South American fox. Despite the name, it is not a true fox, but more closely related to wolves and jackals.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culpeo
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Lycalopex
Culpeo belongs to the family Canidae, order Carnivora, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The culpeo, also known as Culpeo zorro, Andean zorro, Andean fox, Paramo wolf, Andean wolf, and colpeo fox, is a species of South American fox. Despite the name, it is not a true fox, but more closely related to wolves and jackals. Its appearance resembles that of foxes due to convergent evolution.
The Culpeo faces significant pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, and human settlement development across its range. Persecution by livestock farmers who view culpeos as threats to domestic animals, combined with hunting pressure and vehicle strikes, further threatens populations throughout South America.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Culpeos inhabit diverse ecosystems including Andean highlands, Patagonian steppes, scrublands, grasslands, and forest edges from sea level to over 4,800m elevation. They occupy both open terrain and woodland areas across western and southern South America, adapting to various climatic conditions from arid regions to temperate forests.
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural expansion
Persecution and killing by livestock farmers
Competition with domestic dogs
Hunting pressure for fur and perceived pest control
Vehicle strikes on roads crossing habitat
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/culpeo