The nomadic corsac fox builds vast underground cities across the steppes of Central Asia

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the arid, unforgiving landscapes of Central Asia, the corsac fox survives by abandoning the territorial instincts of its cousins. Instead, these social animals form packs, dig interconnected burrow systems known as corsac cities, and even migrate hundreds of kilometers to escape the deep snows of the harsh northern winters.

The corsac fox, or steppe fox, is a medium-sized canine native to the steppes, semideserts, and deserts of Eurasia. Unlike the red fox, which thrives in diverse environments ranging from Arctic tundra to urban centers, the corsac fox is highly specialized for arid climates. It avoids dense vegetation and mountainous regions, preferring open grasslands where it can hunt small vertebrates, insects, and rodents. Remarkably, these foxes have evolved to endure extended periods without food or water, an essential adaptation for life in such volatile environments.

Social behavior distinguishes the corsac from many other fox species. While red foxes are generally solitary and territorial, corsac foxes often form packs and share living spaces. They excavate shallow dens, but frequently repurpose the abandoned burrows of badgers, ground squirrels, or marmots. These communal living arrangements can result in complex networks of tunnels and connecting holes, earning them the nickname of corsac cities. This social structure extends to child-rearing, as males form monogamous bonds and assist in the care of their young.

Survival for the corsac is a constant negotiation with the landscape. Because they struggle to hunt in snow deeper than 15 centimeters, they are forced to be nomadic. In the northern reaches of their range, they may migrate up to 600 kilometers south during winter. During these journeys, they have been observed following antelope herds, relying on the larger animals to compress the snow. Despite being classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN since 2004, their populations are notoriously unstable, with numbers capable of dropping tenfold within a single year due to environmental pressures.

The evolutionary history of the corsac fox links it to the extinct Vulpes praecorsac, which inhabited central Europe during the early Pleistocene. While they are part of a holarctic clade that includes the red, swift, and Arctic foxes, their closest relative is likely the Tibetan sand fox. Today, they remain elusive, generally avoiding human disturbance, unlike their red fox counterparts which have adapted to human-dominated ecosystems and urban sprawl.

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