Mammals · Carnivora · Canidae

Corsac Fox

Vulpes corsac

Least Concern

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

The corsac fox is a small canid of the steppes of Central Asia, with a yellowish grey coat that becomes much denser and paler in winter. It hunts rodents, pikas, insects and birds, and in winter supplements its diet with carrion. It avoids forest, mountains and dense scrub, and always occupies open ground. It is sociable for a fox: several pairs may share a burrow system. Its fur was for centuries an important commodity in the Russian fur trade.

Weight

1.6 kg – 3.2 kg

Size

45 cm – 65 cm

Lifespan

9 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

DesertGrasslandCarnivore Nocturnal In pairs Desert Grassland Mammal

11countries 6parks34same family

Fun facts

GeneralA good climber for a fox, and able to go a long time without drinking.
comportamientoIt lives in the steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia and, unlike other foxes, usually shares communal dens with others of its kind through the winter.
It does not dig its own burrows: it takes over and enlarges those of marmots, ground squirrels and other steppe rodents.
In especially harsh winters it makes mass movements southwards, sometimes of hundreds of kilometres, migratory behaviour that is uncommon among foxes.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Open steppe, semi-desert and dry grassland of Central Asia, avoiding forest and mountains
Sexual maturity: 16.6 months
Gestation / incubation: 53 days
Litter / clutch size: 4.7 (average)

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpes_corsac