Mammals · Carnivora · Canidae

Crab-eating Fox

Cerdocyon thous

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the commonest wild canid in Brazil and plays a crucial ecological role as a seed disperser and a check on rodent numbers.

Weight

4.5 kg – 8.5 kg

Size

57 cm – 77 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaRainforestOmnivore Nocturnal In pairs Savanna Rainforest Mammal

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Fun facts

It forms socially monogamous pairs in which both parents take an active part in rearing the pups.
It eats fruit, insects, crabs, small vertebrates and amphibians.
It lives in savannah, woodland and scrub across much of South America.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Savannah, woodland and scrub across much of South America
Birth weight: Born blind and helpless
Size at birth: Born blind and helpless
Gestation / incubation: 52-59 days (average 56 days)
Litter / clutch size: 2 to 6 pups per litter (average 3-4)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 11-12 years

Sources consulted: Animal Diversity Web; A-Z Animals; Onçafari; Wikipedia (Crab-eating fox); ScienceDirect Topics; PMC (Ecuador ecological genetic records study)