Vulpes velox

• Main Authors: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Lynx Edicions 2009
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Mammalia; Carnivora; Canidae; Vulpes; Vulpes velox; Arctic; Buff; Canada; Renard; The Muzzle
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/6335051; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6335051

25. Swift Fox Vulpes velox French: Renard véloce / German: Prarie-Flinkfuchs / Spanish: Zorro veloz Taxonomy. Canis velox Say, 1823, River Platte region, USA. Phenotypically and ecologically similar to V. macrotis; interbreeding occurs in western Texas and eastern New Mexico, and some suggest these foxes are conspecific. Both are closely related to Arctic Foxes, and some authorities place the latter under Vulpes. Although significant geographic variation exists among Swift Foxes, their classification into northern (hebes) and southern (velox) subspecies is probably unjustified. Monotypic. Distribution. Great Plains in S Canada (Alberta & Saskatchewan) and USA (Montana, and from N Wyoming and SW South Dakota to C New Mexico & NW Texas). Descriptive notes. Head-body 50-54- 5 cm for males and 47- 5-54 cm for females,tail 25-34 cm for males and 25-30- 2 cm for females; weight 2- 2-5 kg for males and 1-6- 2-3 kg for females. One of the smallest canids; characteristic black patches on each side of the muzzle. The winter pelage is dark grayish across the back and sides extending to yellow-tan across the lowersides, legs, and the ventral surface of the tail. Black tail tip. The ventral fur is white with some buff on the chest. In summer, the fur is shorter and more rufous. The Swift Fox can be easily confused with the closely related Kit Fox. Dental formula: 13/3, C1/1,PM 4/4, M 2/3 = 42. Habitat. Predominately short-grass and mixed-grass prairies in gently rolling or level terrain. In Kansas, Swift Foxes have been found to den and forage in fallow wheat fields. Survival rates between foxes in grassland and cropland sites were not significant ly different, suggesting that Swift Foxes may be able to adapt to such habitat in some cases. The distribution and density of dens are considered important components of Swift Fox habitat requirements, particularly in terms of evading Coyote predation or Red Fox competition. Food and Feeding. Swift Foxes are opportunistic foragers, feeding on a variety of mammals, but also ...