Kit Fox
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| Vulpes macrotis Merriam, 1888 |
The Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) is a relatively common North American fox. Its range extends into northern Mexico. Some mammalogists classify it as conspecific with the Swift Fox V. velox, but molecular systematics imply that the two species are distinct. It has a generally gray coat, with rusty tones, and a black tip to its tail. Unlike the Gray Fox it has no stripe along the length of its tail.
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[edit] Habitat
Kit Foxes usually live in open desert or wide grassland, preferring dryer areas. They will dig a small den, from which they rarely venture more than a few kilometers.
[edit] Hunting/Eating Habits
Kit Foxes are mostly nocturnal but sometimes venture out of their dens during the day. Kit Foxes usually go out to hunt shortly after sunset, mostly eating small animals like kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, insects, fish, and small birds. Families of Kit Foxes can occupy the same hunting grounds, but do not generally go hunting at the same time. Kit Foxes aren't very afraid of humans and aren't nearly as cunning as other foxes. This results in frequent trappings and poisonings.
[edit] Mating
Male and female Kit Foxes establish pairs during October and November. Pairs can change year to year. They mate from December to February, when they use larger family dens. Litters are born throughout March and April, usually containing 3 to 14 young foxes.
[edit] Adaptations
Kit Foxes have an elliptical pupil. They also have night vision to see during night to catch their prey.Kit Foxes are also very fast in speed so they can get away from their predators and also catch food like Mice and Kangaroo Rats. Kit Foxes dig burrow with about 7 portals in it and about 1.5 meters deep they go inside on hot days to keep them cool from the heat of the Desert.Some of the adaptations to other organisms are its long bushy tail. It gives them balance and more speed while they are running.They also have sharp teeth to dig in the flesh of their prey or to kill easier.Their fur also camoflages with the ir habitat so the preadators wont be able to see them that good and the Kit Fox will be able to run away.One adaptaion to the climate is how the Kit Foxes mate during Winter and produce their babies(pups)in early Spring so that it wouldnt be to cold or to hot for their new born babies.
[edit] Subspecies
The Kit Fox has several recognized subspecies.
The San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) was formerly common in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Its range has shrunk and in 1990 the population was estimated at 7,000. It is considered to be endangered.
The Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) lives in the Mojave Desert.
The Southern California Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis macrotis) was a population of kit foxes native to desert regions of Southern California which became extinct in 1903.
[edit] References
- Sillero-Zubiri & Hoffmann (2004). Vulpes macrotis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
[edit] External links
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