Crab-eating fox

Found in woodlands and savannas, the Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) is inclined to use higher elevations during the rainy periods, but they could go down during the dry period. An individual would weigh 5-8 kg, on average.

Ordinarily, the Crab-eating Fox is akin to both the shape and the size of many kinds of fox. Its coat is a combination of brown and grey (dorsal) while its legs, ears and face have a red shade. Tips of the ears, legs and tail are dark, and their legs are short.

Their mating could occur at anytime during the year, but the peak period is at the end of the year, either November or December. Female Crab-eating Fox could give birth to 3 to 6 newborns (pups). One amusing (if mystifying) fact is that female Crab-eating Foxes that have been captured were observed to have given birth twice in a year. The pups upon birth have no teeth, with closed ears and eyes. The eyes would open after around 2 weeks, and they would be capable of taking in solid food in a month's time. The sexual maturity is attained by the 1st year (according to studies), and in urinating, the raised leg (for both genders) action suggests sexual maturity.

A Crab-eating Fox is basically nocturnal, they move about in pairs but when it comes to hunting, they do it by its lonesome.

Interesting fact: The name "thous" comes from Greek, and it means jackal. This obviously alludes to the fact that they resemble small jackals, and what about the genus label "Cerdocyon"? In Greek, it translates to crafty dog.

The Common fox, common zorro, crab-eating fox, crab-eating zorro, forest fox, savannah fox is listed as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Namings for the crabeating fox
A young / baby of a crabeating fox is called a 'cub, kit or pup'. The females are called 'vixen' and males 'reynard, todd or dog'. A crabeating fox group is called a 'leash or skulk'.
Some facts about the
Crab-eating fox

Adult weight : 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs)

Maximum longevity : 13 years

Female maturity :274 days

Male maturity : 274 days

Gestation : 55 days

Weaning : 90 days

Litter size : 4

Litters per year : 2

Interval between litters : 243 days

Weight at birth : 0.14 kg (0.308 lbs)

Basal metabolic rate : 9 W

Body mass : 5.444 kg (11.9768 lbs)

Temperature : 37.85 °C (100.13 °F)

Source: AnAge, licensed under CC

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