Renard Corse Courses

The Renard Corse, also known as the Corsican Fox, is a subspecies of red fox that is native to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. This species is found nowhere else in the world, and is believed to have been isolated on the island since the end of the last Ice Age. The Renard Corse has long silver-gray fur, and can be distinguished from other red foxes by its shorter snout, sharper teeth and longer, thicker tail. It is also distinguished by its longer legs and ability to move quickly over terrain, making it well-suited for traversing the rocky and hilly terrain of Corsica. This species is primarily nocturnal and solitary, living alone in dens along rivers and valleys. Its diet consists mostly of small mammals like mice and voles, as well as amphibians, insects, and some fruit, nuts and seeds. It hunts both on the ground and in trees, and is able to climb rocks and cliffs with ease, making it an excellent climber. Though it is listed as a near-threatened species, the Renard Corse is a prized game animal in Corsica, with hunters taking an estimated 500 to 1,000 animals yearly. Populations have decreased over the last several decades, largely due to human activities like hunting, habitat destruction, and disease, as well as predation by larger animals like feral cats and wild boar. Conservation efforts are underway to help protect this unique species.