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Taxonomy

The Swift Fox is closely related genetically to the Kit Fox Vulpes macrotis, but occupies a different geographical range. The two have historically been regarded as the same species for reasons basically related to size: the Kit Fox is slightly smaller than the Swift Fox, and the former has a narrower snout. However, hybrids between the two occur naturally where their ranges overlap, and some mammalogists classify the two as subspecies of a single species, usually treated as Vulpes velox (with the Swift Fox being described as V. velox velox and the Kit Fox as V. velox macrotis). The molecular genetics evidence is not 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. The throat, chest, and belly range from pale yellow to white in color. Its tail is black-tipped, and it has black patches on its muzzle. Its ears are noticeably large. It is about 12 inches in height, and 31 inches long, measuring from the head to the tip of the tail. Its weight ranges from around five to seven pounds. Its lifespan ranges from 3 to 4 years.

Habitat and distribution

The Swift Fox resides primarily in deserts and short-grass prairies. They form their dens in sandy soil on open prairies, in plowed fields, or along fences. 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. However, in May 2000, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Swift Fox as an endangered species in Canada. In general, though, the IUCN Red List characterizes 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 is 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 is based on the females. Females maintain territories at all times, but males emigrate if the resident female is killed or removed.

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