Researchers in Brazil have made an incredible discovery, finding the first-known dog-fox hybrid. This unique creature, dubbed a Dogxim, is a cross between a South American pampas fox and a dog.

Strange eating behaviors and appearance

The Dogxim, which was uncovered in the Cerrado region of Brazil, has puzzled researchers due to its unusual eating habits and appearance. While it barked like a dog and had fur like a dog, it also featured pointed ears and a long snout like a fox.

But perhaps the most intriguing aspect about the Dogxim is its diet. Unlike a typical dog, it refuses to consume dog food and will only eat small rats.

A conservationist who helped care for the creature stated, "It was not as docile as a dog, but it also lacked the aggressiveness expected of a wild canid when handled."

How the hybrid came to be

Although it is not entirely clear how the hybrid came into existence, it is believed that the Dogxim's mother was a pampas fox, and its father was a dog.

The animal was first discovered in 2021 after being involved in an accident on the roads of Rio Grande do Sul. It was then nursed back to health at the Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation of Wild Animals at the Federal University of Grande do Sul.

Potential for more hybrids

Initially, researchers thought the animal belonged to a single class of animal. However, after they couldn't match the creature to any specific species, they turned their attention to cross-breeding.

In a study published in the journal Animals, the researchers wrote, "This discovery implies that, although these species diverged about 6.7 million years ago and belong to different genera, they might still produce viable hybrids."

While there is currently no evidence of other hybrids in the region, the researchers suspect that the Dogxim is not the only one. "However, we suspect that this case we have described is not the only one," said Bruna Szynwelski.

Overall, this remarkable discovery sheds light on the potential for extraordinary hybrid species and adds to the ever-growing knowledge of the natural world.