Corsac Fox Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: Corsac
Scientific Name
Vulpes corsac
Conservation status
Least Concern
LIFE SPAN
9 years in the wild
13 years in captivity
Body size
3.5-7 lbs
25-40 inches long (including tail)
Native habitat
Corsac foxes are found semi deserts or desert regions in Central Asia, Mongolia, and even Northeastern China. They call open grassy steppes and semideserts home, while avoiding dense vegetation and mountainous regions.
Diet
Since Corsac foxes live primarily in arid climates, they need little water to survive and get most of their fluids from their food. A Corsac fox’s diet consists of mainly insects and small rodents, but they may occasionally eat hares and pikas, and also scavenge for carrion. Corsac foxes are predominately carnivores, but will eat fruit and vegetation when other options are scarce.
Foxy Fun Facts!
The Corsac fox is also known as the Steppe fox
The Corsac fox has much smaller teeth compared to other fox species
The closest living relative to the Corsac fox is the Tibetan Sand Fox
Corsac foxes are nocturnal and nomadic hunters
Unlike most fox species, Corsac Foxes have been known to form packs. While Corsac foxes don’t typically have a territory that they’ll defend, they have been known to migrate south in the winter months as they cannot hunt in deep snow.
Corsac foxes take shelter in burrows, and while they can dig their own dens, they will often take over burrows of other animals such as ground squirrels or badgers. Corsac fox dens are rather shallow at around three feet deep, but will have several entrances and is usually shared between social packs.
Like Red foxes and Arctic Foxes, Corsac foxes will form a monogamous bond during mating season and work together to raise their young. Unlike other fox species, sometimes Corsacs will share a den with other pregnant females.
Despite being decent climbers, Corsac foxes are slow runners, which makes them easily caught by their biggest threats: dogs and hunters. Sadly Corsac foxes are heavily hunted for their fur. In the late 19th century, up to 10,000 Corsac foxes were killed annually for their pelts.
