Falkland Island Fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falkland Island Fox |
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| Illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans (1842-1912) | |
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Dusicyon
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D. australis
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| Dusicyon australis |
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| Location of the Falkland Islands | |
The Falkland Islands Fox, also known as the Warrah, was a type of fox that lived only on the Falkland Islands. People thought it might have hunted sheep, but we don't know for sure if it did. The very last Falkland Islands Fox died in 1876, meaning the species is now extinct.
This unique animal was the only native land mammal on the Falkland Islands. It likely ate penguins, seals, and different kinds of vegetation.
Contents
About the Falkland Islands Fox
The Falkland Islands Fox lived on both West Falkland and East Falkland. Charles Darwin, a famous scientist, wasn't sure if the foxes on each island were slightly different types.
What it Looked Like
This fox had fur that was a brownish-yellow, called tawny. The very tip of its tail was white. It was a medium-sized canid, which is a family of animals that includes dogs, wolves, and foxes.
What it Ate
Scientists are not completely sure what the Falkland Islands Fox ate. There were no native rodents (like mice or rats) on the Falkland Islands. So, it probably hunted birds that nested on the ground, such as geese and penguins. It might also have eaten grubs and insects. It probably also scavenged for food along the seashore. Some people think it might have lived in burrows, which are underground tunnels.
Family Tree of the Warrah
For a long time, scientists thought the Falkland Islands Fox was most closely related to the Lycalopex genus. This group includes the Culpeo, another fox-like animal. Interestingly, the Culpeo has been brought to the Falkland Islands in more recent times.
However, in 2009, scientists did a special test called DNA analysis. This test showed that the closest living relative of the Falkland Islands Fox is actually the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). The maned wolf is a very tall, fox-like animal from South America. The Falkland Islands Fox and the maned wolf shared a common ancestor about 6.7 million years ago.
Images for kids
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A drawing of the skull of the Falkland Islands Fox.
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The Falkland Island wolf was hunted for its fur.
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An illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans.
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An illustration by H. Smith.
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An illustration from The Illustrated London News (1873).
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See also
In Spanish: Guará para niños
