Three Corsac foxes sitting on their back legs in a woodland

Corsac fox

Vulpes corsac
Conservation Status IUCN
Least Concern

For more info on classifications visit
www.iucnredlist.org

endangered list labels least concern
endangered list least concern sign
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    Animal Class
    Mammal, Canine
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    Habitat
    Corsac foxes can be found in steppe, grassland, savannah, and semi-dessert habitats.
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    Diet
    Carnivores – Their diet consits of rodents, birds, small mammals, and insects.
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    Conservation Status
    Least concern – Although they are of least concern, Corsac foxes are hunted intensively for thier pelts.
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    Population
    N/A
  • Introduction

    Corsac foxes use the burrows of other species to rest.

    The Corsac fox is a medium sized fox species, being slightly smaller then, our native Irish Red Fox, they have longer legs and ears. The corsac coat is yellowish, with pale underparts and pale markings around the mouth, chin, and throat. During the winter the coat gets much thicker

    They are nocturnal animals and, unlike most fox species, Corsac foxes are social animals that form smalls packs.

    They have excellent hearing, vision and smelling senses which, they use to hunt. They are nomadic animals with no fixed territory that like to move from place to place.

    Size: 45 to 65 cm body length, their tales are 19 to 35 cm and adults weigh from 1.6 to 3.2 kg.

  • Threats/ Conservation

    Least concern:

    Although they are of least concern, Corsac foxes are under threat from habitat loss and intensive hunting, for their pelts.

    Emerald Park conservation contribution:

    Wildlife Vets International

    In the past, Emerald Park, has donated to Wildlife Vets international (WVI) who aid conservationist and local vets, around the world, to save endangered species. WVI have been involved in developing ways to mitigate the risk of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) to animals in the wild.

  • Habitat

    The Corsac fox is native to northern and central Asian countries including Afghanistan, Russia, Mongolia, and Tibet. They are found in steppe, grassland, savannah, and semi-desert habitats.

  • Fun Facts

    Corsac foxes play a key role in the ecosystem, that they inhabit. As predators they keep a healthy balance in the ecosystem by ensuring populations of prey species are maintained.

    Groups often contain a breeding pair and their young. After the female gives birth, to a litter of 2 – 6 young, males will assist in the raising of the young as do other “helper” foxes. The female will move her young to several burrows after they are born.

    Corsac foxes communicate using high pitched yelps and will bark to alarm call.