The world's first hybrid of a fox and a dog was accidentally discovered in Brazil

Foxes belong to the genus of canids, but it is believed that they are so different from dogs that there can be no hybridization between foxes and dogs, that is, they do not produce offspring.

However, a unique animal was discovered in Brazil, which is a hybrid of a fox and a dog. This was confirmed by genetic tests. In particular, the creature turned out to have 76 chromosomes – a combination of 74 fox chromosomes and 78 dog chromosomes.

An animal with black-reddish fur, large pointed ears, a narrow muzzle and an average fluffy tail accidentally got hit by a car, receiving non-fatal injuries.

When he was taken to the veterinarians, they were immediately puzzled by the question of what kind of animal this creature belongs to. By the way, this happened back in 2021, but the news got into the media only the other day, when a report on this unique hybrid was published in the scientific journal Animals.

Despite the fact that the animal was clearly wild and wary of people, it quickly "softened" and even allowed itself to be petted. According to genetic tests, the mother of this creature was a Pampas fox, and the father was a domestic dog of an unidentified breed.

The sex of the unusual hybrid was female, and scientists believe that the "fox dog" was capable of successful reproduction. The animal refused dog food, but successfully killed and ate live mice thrown to it.

Sometimes she barked like a dog, sometimes she played with dog toys, and her manner of movement was exactly like that of a fox.

Alas, the fox-dog did not live to see the publication of news about himself and died in early 2023 for unknown reasons. It is possible that the injuries she received from the car seriously damaged her internal organs.

"It was an amazing animal, a real cross between a Pampas fox and a dog. He wasn't docile like a dog, but he also lacked the aggressiveness expected from a wild animal. She was a shy and cautious person and usually preferred to stay away from people. I believe that during the time she was in the hospital for treatment, she began to feel safer," said Flavia Ferrari, a conservationist who took care of the canine fox.

Now scientists have suggestions that other dog and fox hybrids may be hiding in the wild in Brazil.