The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) is a small, agile, and discreet canid, native to the great plains of North America. With its small size and remarkable speed, it is perfectly adapted to life in open prairies.
The Swift Fox is one of the smallest canids in North America, measuring only 30 to 40 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 2 and 3 kg. It has a gray-yellow coat in summer that turns to a darker gray in winter, with a bushy tail with a black tip. Its large ears and short legs make it a fast and agile runner.
The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) belongs to the Canidae family.
This fox is closely related to the Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis), with which it shares many characteristics.
The Swift Fox primarily inhabits shortgrass prairies and semi-arid plains in central North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It prefers open terrain with low vegetation, which allows it to easily spot prey and predators.
The Swift Fox is primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, although it can be active during the day in cloudy weather. It is a social animal that lives in small family groups. It digs burrows for shelter and raising its young, often reusing those of other animals.
The Swift Fox is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding mainly on small mammals (such as mice and hares), insects, birds, and plants. Its diet varies with the seasons and resource availability.
The Swift Fox was considered extinct in Canada in the 1930s before being successfully reintroduced. Today, it is classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN, although some populations remain vulnerable to habitat loss and pesticides.
The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) shares its habitat with several other North American canids. Its closest relatives include:
Observing a Swift Fox in the wild requires patience and discretion. Here are some tips:
