Lesser Kumiho

In Korean word kumiho, means nine-tailed fox via Classical Chinese.

In 2021

the Kumiho is the size of a nine-tailed fox, with strong limbs, a white to pale grayish dull brown to white belly, dark fuschia fur on its neck, violet eyeshadow, a red dot on its forehead, magenta feather-like feelers, and rising elbow fur on the ankle and elbow. The Kumiho has eight tail-like appendages on its tail, giving it the appearance of having nine tails. Its tail and appendages are red to orange and dark brown tipped.

In 2025

The Kumiho had three versions, similar to Jiuweihu's seven variations. The Kumiho possessed a fox-like build, as if they were descendants of other fox species. Three very different genetic variants that display certain phenotypic features throughout their thick, dense coats determine the Kumiho's physical makeup.

1. Ruined Kumiho: The primordial and original form of Kumiho is the Ruined Kumiho. The Ruined Kumiho is characterized by its brownish-orange outer coat, white face and bottom, orange facial markings, brown limb stockings, terracotta-orange tail fan, and orange sensory feelers.

2. Abnormal Kumiho: The middle variant of Kumiho, known as the Abnormal Kumiho, is less accurate in Korean mythology. Brighter orange coats, more face streak markings, peach-colored tail patterns, and improved display colors are some of their characteristics. It has two orange feelers and a black nose.

3. Mystic Kumiho: The most valuable, rare, and accurate variation based on the Korean story is the Mystic Kumiho. the species' most stable version. Its sleek, light gray outer coat, orange eye mascara, and dark red "shoe" patterns on its paws are its distinguishing features. It has a superior cold-weather adaption and a deep, dull red tail with flaming orange and blood-red tips.

Up until an angry state, Kumiho just has one tail. It alerts both predators and prey by releasing and displaying nine tails. Sweat is found beneath their coats, and dish soap naturally forms bubbles. Kumiho release water, bubbles, and high-pressure mist from their mouths. The unique tongue's energy-absorbing technique is similar to a "deep kiss"—that is, a tongue-based kiss. In need of absorbing human energy, the kumiho releases the organisms' jaws and then retakes them with their tongues.

Although the Kumiho is not a shapeshifter in the conventional sense, it is well known for its ability to take on "human" form, usually that of a random person who owned the Kumiho and was hidden by their long skirts. Alongside its human owner, the Kumiho performed. The Kumiho is an extremely intelligent and adaptable fox that can thrive in both urban and rural environments and pick up complex habits. Because of their exceptional low-light vision, sensitive hearing, and great sense of smell, the Kumiho are able to detect little mice beneath.

Similar to foxes, the Kumiho can swim rather well; however, they typically avoid the water unless it is absolutely necessary (e.g., evading predators or crossing rivers). The Kumiho can scale buildings, fences, and low trees. The Kumiho are capable of face recognition, tool use and switching, multi-step logic problem solving, future planning, and dozens of vocalizations, either skin-only or randomly variable. The Kumiho, unlike foxes, are said to mimic the sounds and speech of other animals, including humans.

The Kumiho and the oriental magpie have a symbiotic relationship in which they work together to survive, much like wolves and crows (or ravens). Since foxes are powerful predators that leave behind scraps for the magpies to scavenge, magpies are frequently referred to as "wolf birds" because they follow kumiho packs. In exchange, the magpies can assist the nine-tailed fox in locating prey or carcasses that they would find difficult to reach on their own by using their calls and aerial perspective. When we Koreans noticed a magpie acting strangely and refusing to collaborate with their own kind, the Kumiho either arrived or were close by.

Kumiho are omnivores, mostly consuming the liver of all animals, including people, although they also eat fish, insects, birds, rabbits, cats, and rodents. In addition, the Kumiho forage and consume roots, fruits, flowers, and pine cones. These creatures must contend with other huge predatory species from the Korean Peninsula around the world since they are competent predators. They are said to be foxes that have lived for hundreds of years (unlike their ancestors) and possess the ability to fog and release bubbles for a mysterious appearance, which typically takes the form of courtship with tails like peafowls to attract their mate, as a result of great longevity or the accumulation of energy.

The Kumiho creates the bubbles by rubbing its tail and hairs in unique fluid secretions that it produces from its own body in addition to water. Additionally, it has unique hook-like claws on its limbs that enable it to instantly halt sliding in order to confront dangers. The kumiho is nearly universally regarded as a malevolent entity that consumes human flesh, liver, sheep's heart, dog's brain, kidney (all animals, including humans), pine nuts, citrus fruits, roses, azaleas, any souls, and rudraksha beads. Numerous old writings describe the kind kumiho helping people by negotiating with them.

Wolves, lynxes, feral dogs, tigers, leopards, bears, big eagles, and occasionally humans are the Kumiho's primary predators. Red foxes, tigers, and wolves posed the greatest threat to the Kumiho pups. The Kumiho were defending themselves from predators and adversaries, including humans, wolves, bears, and tigers.

Reproduction

Similar to Jiuweihu populations.

• Breeding Season: Late winter

• Gestation: Approximately 65 days

• Litter Size: 2–5 pups

• Parenting:

  • Both parents participate.

  • Extended family groups occasionally assist.

  • Pups remain dependent for nearly one year.

Kumihos are very shy and tender; if the survivors, hunters, or organisms tried to attack the Kumiho, it became aggressive. During blue moon, red moon, or harvest moon events, Kumiho is now aggressive towards all, except for princesses, nearby dinosaurs, or wyverns. Baby kumihos can play bubbles much like humans.

Likes

• Pine forests

• Quiet mountains

• Magpie companionship

• Citrus fruits

• Pine nuts

• Bubble play

• Snowfall

• Hidden dens

Dislikes

• Loud machinery

• Habitat destruction

• Forest fires

• Aggressive dogs

• Excessive human crowds

• Sudden bright lights

Threats

• Vehicle collisions.

• Lethal control programs (trapping, poisoning).

• Habitat fragmentation.

• Disease (rabies, mange, distemper).

• Persecuted by either humans or natural wildlife.

• Habitat fragmentation.

• Road mortality.

• Illegal wildlife trade.

• Genetic bottlenecks.

• Urban development.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (VU) – IUCN Red List 

Conservation Efforts

• Protected mountain reserves.

• Anti-poaching enforcement.

• Rescue and rehabilitation centers.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

• DMZ wildlife sanctuary zones.

• Conservationist Hunter monitoring programs.

• Captive breeding initiatives.

Kumiho are indigenous to Korea, spreading from the northern region of North Korea to Jeju Island in South Korea. Despite their prevalence, these are highly rare and difficult to obtain. UN peacekeepers never disturb Kumiho when they are alleged to be trespassing in the demilitarized zone for no apparent reason. Kumiho, like foxes, live mostly in forests (boreal to tropical), grasslands, farmlands, mountains, volcanoes, waterless coral reefs, tundra, and, on occasion, both rural and urban settings.

The "Sky People" or Terrans from Earth introduced the Kumiho to one Earth-like exoplanet, Reinachos from Cygnus, during the 2600s and 2700s, during The Recollections of Queen Arianna (TROQA) saga. Despite the fact that our earth is dead, this species is being saved from extinction due to conservation efforts. This species evolved as a result of human interactions for rewilding and game hunting, but they backfired when the nine-tailed fox became the non-native species. The Kumiho lived on an Earth-like exoplanet with the same atmosphere and climate.

• Movement Pattern: Random

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 

  • Earth: ???

  • Reinachos: 4,500

• Locomotion: Terrestrial

• Habitat: Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests, Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain.

• Earth: 

  • Extant  (Resident): North Korea, South Korea

  • Extant & Vagrant: China (Manchuria; Inner Mongolia); Japan (Hokkaido); Mongolia; Russia (Siberia) 

• Reinachos: 

  • Extant & Introduced (Resident): Alfonsia; Doquebetia; Saeloun Jeju; Sanhodosia; Sanhosatoseu; Seloun Sanhocho

Kumihos are very difficult to tame; instead, if your ally is female or male, based on the opposite gender side, Kumiho likes badgers, making a sacrificial alternative for Kumiho eaten alive if you have pet badgers of all species (except for badger-weasels and stink badgers; these are not real badgers).

Alternatively, you can feed the wild baby Kumiho by feeding them fruits or meat.

10000 BCE

The creation of all species, including Kumiho, from the Hanseong Ancient Facility in what is now Seoul, South Korea, many years ago was the work of Terran Deities. The Adam and Eve-led human rebellion, which included some deities, angels, fairies, and elves fighting against the celestial beings, was a decade-long conflict that Kumiho was involved in. These skills enhanced their already powerful powers.

“ When the magpie stops singing to its own flock, look to the tall brush. The nine-tailed shadow is already choosing its window. ”

– Ancient Joseon dynasty tracking Maxim

“ The corporate suits at Abstergo keep trying to categorize their energy extraction as a biological weapon. They don't understand that, to the Kumiho, taking your breath is just an ancient way of saying, "I know exactly what you are thinking." ”

– Shaun Hastings, Database Log 882

“ Do not fear the fox that hides beneath your hemline; fear the man who tells you the fox has no right to be there. ”

– Anonymous Korean Guild of Hunter, Jeju Island Outpost

“ That kumihos want to force marriage, that damn fox needs a badger for Koreans and Catalans? ”

– Maribelle Pierre-Champlaine, about Governor-General Archie Buenaventura in Taegon, New Seoul Districto, San Antonio in Aphrodite Islands, Lighruperisal, Reinachos

2021 Renders

1. Reo Uratani (裏谷玲央) - 妖艶なる舞 / Bewitched Dance (Rise Ver.) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGfawvx6RE 

• Tagalog: Kumiho, Gumiho

• Indonesian: Kumiho, Gumiho

• Hawaiian: Kumiho

• Maori: Kumiho (クミホ)

• Korean: 구미호/九尾狐 (Gumiho)

• Japanese: クミホ (Kumiho)

• Italian: Gumiho

• Catalan: Gumiho

• French: Gumiho

• Spanish: Gumiho

• German: Gumiho, Kumiho

• Fox spirits and nine-tailed foxes appear frequently in Chinese folklore, literature, and mythology. Depending on the story, the fox spirit's presence may be a good or a negative omen.

• One of the mythical foxes was drawn in this century.

• A Kumiho's false tails contain cartilages and no bones.

• They can remember individual human faces for decades.

• Their partnership with magpies is considered one of the most remarkable animal relationships in Korea.

• Mystic kumihos are the rarest variants.

• Their fog-producing abilities inspired numerous ghost stories.

• Many sightings reported as "spirits" were likely mist-producing Kumihos.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumiho

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Kumiho-894649769

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Kumiho-2025-1261090614