At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Darwin's fox is a small, dark fox found only in Chile, first noted by Charles Darwin. It is assessed as Endangered.
It is a forest specialist with a very limited range.
Range & habitat
Forests of Chile, including Chiloe Island and a mainland population.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- A small, fragmented population
- Disease and attacks from domestic dogs
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
A rare forest fox named for Darwin and found only in Chile, Darwin's fox is a flagship for the country's threatened temperate forests.
Sources
Sources for Darwin's Fox
- IUCN Red List — look up Darwin's Fox (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Darwin's fox?
Charles Darwin collected a specimen of this small dark fox on Chiloe Island during the voyage of the Beagle, and it was later recognised as a distinct species named in his honour.
Why is Darwin's fox Endangered?
Published assessments cite its small, fragmented population, disease and attacks from domestic dogs, and habitat loss. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: