A Fox or is it a wolf .

Most people except farmers like foxes. Farmers think them to be sly, crafty and villainous, which they are.

We like foxes because they are a successful predator in a global environment dominated by man.  An animal has to be smart to do well in our world and foxes are smart.

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The South American Gray fox is otherwise known as the Patagonian Fox, the Chilla, the Grey zorro ,the Culpeo Fox or the Andean Fox. So many local names indicate it is well known in legend and folklore.

The most interesting aspect about this animal is that its not a true fox genetically but more closer related to the Coyote and Wolf. Just because it looks like an average fox its called a fox, but deep down its true nature is not fox like at all, more Wolf.

 

Culpeo fox in the Andes, Chile.

We refer to them as Andean foxes and the first one we saw was in the ‘jaw droppingly’ spectacular Tres Cruces National Park in Chile, South America.

 

Dawn in Tres Cruces National Park, Chile

On our ‘Living Wild in South America, expedition we camped overnight at this spot, but at 4300m high we didn’t get the best nights sleep.  I woke at dawn and staggered outside and  I’m glad I did, as this sunrise greeted me.

 

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Later that morning we came across an Andean Fox asleep.

I got out my camera, sat down and waited. The fox was quite unconcerned, wildlife in the Andes see few people and even fewer camping, on our travels to date we have seen no one camping in these remote areas.

Eventually the animal woke up, yawned, and went back to sleep again.  We waited and waited and eventually the animal got up and wandered right by us, towards our vehicle. We were a little concerned as we had left the doors open, we thought the fox might jump inside and go to sleep again.  But it had a pee against the wheel of car and sauntered off.

 

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We felt privileged to have spent an hour in close proximity to the fox, or was it a wolf in foxs’s clothing.

 

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