Pampas fox

Scientific name: Lycalopex gymnocercus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Small canid with a greyish-brown coat, russet flanks, and distinctive black markings along the spine and tail. Males slightly larger than females; slender build with long legs and a bushy, dark-tipped tail.

Size and weight

Adult weight 3.5–5.5 kg; body length 40–53 cm. Males average 4.5 kg, females 3.8 kg.

Habitat

Pampas fox inhabits open grasslands, scrubland, and cultivated areas of South America, typically at elevations below 2,000 m. They favour areas with scattered vegetation and low cover that provide both hunting grounds and refuge.

Distribution

Endemic to southern South America, found across Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil in pampas, grasslands, and agricultural zones with open terrain.

Diet

Omnivorous generalist consuming rodents (primary), insects, birds, reptiles, carrion, and seasonal fruits; diet shifts with prey availability and season.

Behaviour

Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, most active at dawn and dusk. Solitary or in pairs; territorial with home ranges of 5–15 km², typically moving along established trails and ridge lines.

Hunting tips

Track fresh prints in soft ground and mud; droppings are thin and often contain fur or insect fragments. Approach from downwind using terrain folds and low vegetation for concealment. Focus activity during dawn/dusk hours; watch for use of ridge lines and field margins where they hunt rodents.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.