Swift Fox Totally Explained

Everything about Swift Fox totally explained

The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) is a small fox found in the western grasslands of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The molecular genetics evidence isn't conclusive however, and some of those who have used it continue to treat the Swift Fox and Kit Fox as separate species.

Description

The Swift Fox has a dark, grayish, tan coloration that extends to a yellowish tan color across its sides and legs. It is native to the Great Plains region of North America, and its range extends north to the central part of Alberta, Canada, and south to Texas. It reaches from western Iowa to Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.

Conservation status

The species was extirpated from Canada by 1938, but a reintroduction program started in 1983 has been successful. In general, though, the IUCN Red List characterises it as of Least Concern, because populations elsewhere in its range are stable or increasing.

Behavior

It is primarily nocturnal, and is more heavily dependent on its den than most North American canids. It suffers serious predation by the Coyote.
Like most canids, the Swift Fox is an omnivore. Rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, birds, insects and lizards are staples. Grasses and fruits round out its diet. However, like any efficient forager, the Swift Fox takes advantage of seasonal foods. During the summer, adults eat large amounts of insects, including beetles and grasshoppers and feeds their young with larger prey items. Winter-killed deer and other carrion may also be important food sources.
It runs very fast, at speeds of up to 50-60 kilometers per hour.

Reproduction

The adult Swift Fox mates between December and February. Gestation takes around 51 days, and four to five kits are born. Adults live in pairs and mate for life. It may occupy up to thirteen dens in one year, moving because prey is scarce or because skin parasites build up inside the den. Sometimes it makes other burrows from other animals bigger, even though it's completely capable of digging one on its own. Recent research has shown that social organization in the Swift Fox is unusual among canids, since it's based on the females. Females maintain territories at all times, but males emigrate if the resident female is killed or removed.

Further Information

Get more info on 'Swift Fox'.

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