Kit Foxes
Author: Ray Bowers

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Species: Vulpes mactotis

Description:
Kit foxes are like small dogs with an average body length of 790mm (31in), tail that is 250mm (10in), and large ears that are 85mm (3,3in). The weight is 2kg (4.5lbs). The fur on the back is gray and yellow-brown with a black spot on the sides of the nose. The tail is bushy with a black tip. Females are slightly smaller.

Geographic range:
Their range is from Central California east to New Mexico and from Southeastern Oregon And Southwestern Idaho south into Baha and Central Mexico. In New Mexico the kit fox is found in suitable habitat west of the Pecos River.

Habitat:
Kit foxes are found in open desert and grasslands with sandy soils.

Food Web:
Kit foxes feed on small rodents, primarily kangaroo rats, and lagomorphs. They will also feed on birds, reptiles, and arthropods. Their mail predators are coyotes and people.

Reproduction and Development:
Mating takes place from December through February. The young are born forty-nine to fifty-six days after mating. A litter of four or five pups is born in February or March. The pups reach adult size in about five months.

Behavior:
Kit foxes are nocturnal predators, resting in their dens during the day. The dens, which they dig themselves or enlarge from rodent burrows, have three or four entrances. Kit foxes usually live in pairs, at least for one year and possibly for life. While the mother is nursing, the male brings food to the den. When the pups stop nursing, whole food is brought to the den by both parents.

Ecosystem roles:
Kit foxes are important in the control of rodents and lagomorphs. Elimination of foxes may cause their prey populations to rapidly increase.

• Foxes are usually avoid people, but if cornered or trapped can be quite fierce.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: Vulpes mactotis

References:
Burt, William Henry; and Richard Philip Grossenheider. 1976. A Field Guide to the Mammals, 3rd ed. (Peterson Field Guide Series; no. 5). Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 289 p., 47 plates

Cockrum, E. Lendell; and Yar Petryszyn. 1992. Mammals of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications, 192 p.

Findley, James S. 1987. The Natural History of New Mexican Mammals. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 164 p.

Findley, James S.; Arthur H. Harris; Don E. Wilson; and Clyde Jones. 1975. Mammals of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 360 p.

MacMahon. James A.1985. Deserts. New York: Alfred A Knopf, Inc.

Related Terms: Chordata, Mammals, Carnivores