Mammals crepuscular

Chilla

Lycalopex grisea

A clever and resilient resident of the southern cone, the Chilla is a master of the Patagonian scrub. Recognizable by its grizzled coat and reddish ears, this 'Zorro Gris' is a frequent and fascinating visitor to backyard cameras.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 16-27 in (40-70 cm); Weight: 5.5-10 lbs (2.5-4.5 kg)

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Colors

Grizzled salt-and-pepper gray body; reddish-brown head, ears, and legs; white or cream underparts

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Key Features

Distinct black spot on the chin
Bushy gray tail with a black tip and dark dorsal stripe
Reddish tint behind the ears and on the thighs
Small, cat-like frame compared to other South American foxes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM

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Season Year-round, with peak visibility during the pup-rearing months of October to January.

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Diet A generalist omnivore that eats small rodents, lizards, birds, and insects, as well as significant amounts of seasonal fruit and berries.

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Habitat Open grasslands (pampas), scrublands, forest edges, and rural suburban areas.

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Behavior

The Chilla, or South American Gray Fox, is a highly adaptable and intelligent canid that occupies a variety of roles in its ecosystem. While they are primarily solitary, they are known to be socially flexible, sometimes forming monogamous pairs that maintain a shared territory. They are remarkably bold for their size and have adapted well to human presence, often found scavenging near rural homesteads or campsites in search of an easy meal.

Communication among Chillas is a mix of scent marking and vocalizations. During the breeding season, you may hear their high-pitched yaps or barks echoing across the pampas. They are incredibly agile and, while they usually stay on the ground, they are capable of quick bursts of speed to evade larger predators like pumas or domestic dogs. In areas where they feel safe, they can become quite curious, often investigating new objects in their environment—including trail cameras.

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Camera Tips

To get professional-grade shots of a Chilla, mounting height is the most critical factor. These foxes sit low to the ground, so place your camera roughly 12 to 15 inches high. Angle the lens slightly upward if you are on a slope, or keep it level to capture their distinctive facial markings and the black spot on their chin. Because they are crepuscular, you will rely heavily on infrared (IR) triggers; look for a 'No-Glow' IR camera to avoid spooking them, as they have excellent night vision and can be wary of red-glow LEDs.

Chillas are driven by their noses. To keep them in the frame longer than a few seconds, try using a scent lure rather than food. A cotton ball soaked in fish oil or a commercial canine lure placed inside a perforated PVC pipe will encourage the fox to linger and sniff, providing excellent 'behavioral' footage. Position your camera near natural transition zones, such as the edge where a wooded area meets an open field, or along fence lines which they often use as highways to navigate their territory.

During the dry season, water is an irresistible magnet. If you have a backyard pond or even a low livestock trough, aim your camera there. Chillas often visit water sources just after sunset. For settings, use a fast trigger speed (under 0.5 seconds) because they move with a quick, nervous energy. If your camera allows, set a 'Photo + Video' mode; the photo captures a crisp identification shot, while the 20-second video provides a window into their playful and inquisitive personality.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Chilla.

Culpeo Fox

Much larger than the Chilla with a more uniformly reddish-tan coat, especially on the head and legs.

Darwin's Fox

Darker, nearly charcoal-colored coat and much smaller than the Chilla; extremely rare and limited to specific Chilean forests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chilla are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. However, in areas where they live close to humans, they may become more nocturnal to avoid daytime activity.

The best way to attract Chilla is by providing a reliable water source and maintaining natural scrub or tall grass cover. Using scent lures like fish oil can also pique their curiosity without creating a food dependency.

They are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet includes mice, rabbits, and birds, but they also eat a surprising amount of plant matter, including berries from the Calafate bush and fallen fruits.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and are increasingly found on the edges of towns and in rural residential areas across Chile and Argentina, where they scavenge for scraps and hunt garden rodents.

The Chilla is smaller and has a more 'salt-and-pepper' gray appearance. The Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) is significantly larger and has much more vibrant reddish-orange fur on its head, neck, and legs.

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