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Crab-eating fox Facts

Crab-eating fox Facts
Crab-eating fox is a type of small mammal that belongs to the family of dogs. There are 5 subspecies of crab-eating fox that can be found in South America. They inhabit subtropical and deciduous forests, grasslands and savannas. Crab-eating foxes exist on the Earth approximately 3.1 million years and they are the only members of the Cerdocyon genus (all of their close relatives are extinct). Despite accelerated habitat loss, crab-eating fox are numerous in the wild. Local people appreciate their ability to keep pests under control and often keep them as pets. Crab-eating fox are not on the list of endangered animals.
Interesting Crab-eating fox Facts:
Crab-eating fox can reach 24 to 28 inches in length and 11 to 18 pounds of weight. Tail is usually 12 inches long.
Crab-eating fox is covered with brownish grey fur. Legs, face and ears are reddish colored. Tips of the ears, tail and legs are black-colored.
Crab-eating fox has pointed muzzle, wide, rounded ears, narrow body, short legs and long, bushy tail.
Latin name of the crab-eating fox, "Cerdocyon", originates from Greek language. Word "kerdo" means fox, while "cyon" means dog. Name indicates that crab-eating fox looks like a blend of fox and dog.
Crab-eating fox is active at dusk and during the night (nocturnal animal).
Crab-eating fox is capable for digging burrows, but it prefers to live in the burrows of other animals. It also hides in the tall grass and dense bushes.
Crab-eating fox is an omnivore (diet based on plants and meat). It eats crabs and crustaceans during the wet season (hence the name, crab-eating fox). Insects represent main source of food during the dry periods of the years. Crab-eating fox also consumes eggs, birds, tortoise, lizards, fruit and carrion.
Crab-eating fox raises its tail when it is excited and hairs when it is threatened.
Crab-eating fox is territorial during the dry season, when food sources are scarce. One animal usually covers territory of 1.5 square miles.
Crab-eating foxes live in pairs composed of two animals of opposite sex. They are able to bark and produce buzzing and howling sounds for communication. Tail wagging is a sign of greeting that can be seen when two foxes meet after period of separation.
Crab-eating fox can mate all year round, but they prefer period from November to December and July.
Crab-eating foxes are monogamous animals (one couple mates for a lifetime).
Female produces two litters per year. Pregnancy lasts 56 days and ends with 2 to 6 pups. Babies are born with closed eyes and ears. At the age of one month, young crab-eating foxes enrich their milk-based diet with solid food.
Crab-eating fox reaches sexual maturity at the age of one year. Adult animals (of both sex) urinate with raised leg.
Crab-eating fox can survive up to 11 years in the captivity.


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