Purple-Footed Fox

The purple-footed fox is a species of fox native to the Purple Foot Islands and recognized by its distinctive purple paws. The purple-footed fox can be found on every island in the Purple Foot Islands with the exception of the Isle of Serenity.

Basic Information

Appearance

The purple-footed fox is a small quadruped mammal with large ears, a short tail, and black eyes. Smaller than other vulpine species found around Leland, it is suited to darting through the thick underbrush of its natural habitat as well as slipping through cracks and crevices in rocks. Born with a grey pelt, it develops purple paws and tail due to the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich erranberries in its diet. 

Diet

Purple-footed foxes are omnivorous and are known to be scavengers. Their primary source of food are small rodents and birds, supplemented in some areas by freshwater crustaceans. They also eat certain types of plants and cannot resist erranberries, a type of berry native to the Purple Foot Islands, but rare in nature, that has been cultivated by humans to use as offerings to the foxes.

Behavior

Purple-footed foxes are primarily nocturnal and often take up residence in caves and rock formations. They live in large family groups and are known for being somewhat territorial. They are a naturally curious species, are unafraid of humans, and are known to explore caves and crevices as well as dig burrows. They are also excellent swimmers, which is believed to be how they were able to spread across the Purple Foot Islands.

Human Interaction

Offerings

Humans of the Purple Foot Islands have long relied on the fox's scavenging abilities to acquire precious stones, rare flowers, and other hard to find natural resources around the islands. Over time, humans and foxes have developed a symbiotic relationship, with humans leaving erranberries out for foxes who take them in exchange for things they've scavenged from the island. This relationship was considered sacred to the ancient inhabitants of the islands due to the value of what they were given, but has become less important in modern times. Villages on the islands still follow the tradition of leaving berries for the foxes, though this is often a chore given to children who are able to keep whatever is left by the foxes for themselves. In places where the tradition is no longer followed, foxes will still appear looking for berries and have been known to cause havoc.

Hunting

Original inhabitants of the islands did not hunt foxes, but as knowledge of the animals spread past the islands, their uniquely colored fur became sought after for fashion purposes. The subspecies that inhabited the Esterly Isles was considered especially desirable and was almost hunted to extinction before being declared a protected species in 836. Hunting of purple-footed foxes is illegal on all of the Purple-Foot Islands except for Argelea Island where hunting is limited to a small section of the island. 

Folklore

The purple-footed fox is present in many myths and stories of the southern tribes of Cesland. They are often portrayed as cunning and secretive, but benevolent creatures known for providing unexpectedly helpful information or objects before the hero knows how to use them.

Lifespan

7-9 years

Conservation Status

Protected, not threatened

Average Height

8-11 in

Average Weight

3-5 lbs

Geographic Distribution

• Purple Foot Islands