| Swift foxes are primarily nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen sunning themselves near the entrance to a den. They live on prairie grasslands just east of the Rocky Mountains. Like other foxes, they face many dangers: coyotes prey on them, and they are susceptible to trapping, poisoning, and being hit by automobiles. Disease, den cave-ins, and starvation also cause mortality. Habitat destruction has greatly reduced their available habitat. In Canada, swift foxes are protected as an endangered species and attempts are being made to reintroduce them in the Canadian prairie provinces.
Also known as:
Northern Kit Fox, Prairie Kit Fox, Swift Kit Fox
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males are larger than females.
Length:
Range:
740-820 mm males; 680-750 mm females
Weight:
Range:
1.4-3.0 kg
References:
Say, T., 1823. in Account of an expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains : performed in the years 1819 and 20, by order of the Hon. J.C. Calhoun, secy of war, under the command of Major Stephen H. Long : from the notes of Major Long, Mr. T. Say, and other gentlemen of the exploring party compiled by Edwin James, botanist and geologist for the expedition; in two vols., H.C. Carey and I. Lea, Philadelphia,1822-23. Vol 1, p 486.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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