True foxes belong to the genus Vulpes, within which 12 different species are recognized. These mammals are widespread mainly in the northern latitudes in America, Asia, Europe, and also in Africa. Although they are included within the carnivores, their diet is really omnivorous, in fact, it is very varied. On the other hand, they are usually the smallest canids of the group, being distinctive animals.
In this tab of our site we want to present you information about the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis), a particular species also known as the desert fox or northern fox. We invite you to continue reading to discover the characteristics of the kit fox, its customs and state of conservation
Fox Kit Features
The kit fox is one of the species recognized as true foxes and, as such, has particular characteristics that distinguish it from other fox species. Next, let's know the characteristics of the fox kit:
- Within the canids of North America, it is the smallest of the group. Excluding the tail, the kit fox is about half a meter.
- The queue is between 0.25 and 0.35 meters.
- Males are slightly larger than females.
- The weight is between 1.6 and 2.7 kg.
- The most distinctive feature of the kit fox is its large ears, which measure between 7 and 9 cm, being close together at the head and being of great use both for dissipating heat and for hearing, which happens to be very acute in the species.
- The color of the kit fox can be between yellowish and gray, the area of the back being generally darker, while the limbs and the inner area of the ears are light.
- As is common in foxes, the kit fox also has distinctive spots on the face and tip of the tail.
How many types of kit foxes are there?
For a time the species Vulpes velox (swift fox) and Vulpes macrotis (kit fox) were considered the same, however, molecular studies allowed them to be established as different.
On the other hand, up to 8 subspecies of kit fox have also been proposed, but on which there has not been sufficient consensus. However, there is significant agreement in recognizing a subspecies called Vulpes macrotis mutica, which is present in the San Joaquin Valley, California, and grouping the remainder in subspecies Vulpes macrotis macrotis. Currently, these taxonomic aspects have not been made official.
Fox habitat kit
The kit fox is native to Mexico and the United States, in the first case having a distribution range that covers the Peninsula of Baja California, northern Sonora and Chihuahua, as well as western Nuevo León and as far north as Zacatecas. In the second, it develops in southern California, western Colorado and Texas, from north to south in Oregon and Idaho.
In this sense, the habitat of the kit fox is comprised of both arid and semi-arid areas, scrub desert type, chaparrales and grasslandsPreferably, it opts for regions with little plant cover on the ground, developing mainly between 400 and 1,900 meters above sea level. It avoids areas of irregular formations and is present in non-compact soils.
Fox Customs kit
Now that you know where the kit fox lives and its main characteristics, let's see how it lives and what its habits are. This fox is mainly of nocturnal habits or possibly crepuscular. It spends the day in the burrow, especially when the temperature is high. It usually has shared burrows with members of the family group and, as is not a territorial species, it is common for the dens of other groups of the species to overlap.
Generally, it establishes areas for its development ranging from 2.5 to 11.5 km2, and during the night it can cover up to 14 km2 The use of burrows is essential for these foxes because in them they shelter from the heat, maintain humidity, have and care for their young, take refuge to rest and prevent predators. In this sense, kit foxes can make their own burrows or occupy those of other animals, which they modify and adapt. Over the course of a year, they are able to use about 11 lairs in their territory.
On the other hand, and as a curious fact about foxes, kit foxes, as well as all species, communicate mainly through certain vocalizations, which they perceive thanks to their fine hearing.
Fox feeding kit
Although like all foxes it is included in the order of carnivorous animals, is actually an omnivorous animal, as its diet is quite wide. Among the foods that kit foxes eat, we can mention:
- Prairie Dog
- Kangaroo rat
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit
- Rabbit
- Carrion
- Insects
- Lizards
- Snakes
- Landbirds
- Tomatoes
- Various fruits
In the next article we talk more in depth about What do foxes eat.
Fox kit reproduction
The kit fox is generally a monogamous animal, so it tends to keep the same mate all its life, with exceptional cases of polygamy. Thus, a female, when the time comes to become independent, looks for her burrow, which will later be joined by a male.
The mating occurs once a year starting in the months of October and November, while births occur from December to around March. For its part, gestation lasts between 49 and 55 days. The litters range from 1 to 9 puppies, with 4 being the usual average. Foxes, both kit and other species, are animals that invest time in the care and rearing of their children, who are weaned around 3 months, when they begin to eat food brought by the father and start family outings to learn to hunt.
A particular trait is that females delay their independence from the family group for up to a year to support the rearing and care of newborns, since foxes have been observed to protect small ones that they are not your own.
Conservation status of the kit fox
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the kit fox classified in the Least Concern category, however, the species has particular considerations in some regions. Thus, for example, in Mexico it is considered vulnerable, in San Joaquín (United States) it is classified as endangered, while in California it is classified as threatened.
Among the threats faced by the kit fox is its commercialization as a pet, something totally inappropriate, since it is a wildlife animal. In addition, in certain regions of the United States it is bred for the terrible use of its skin However, in both countries some actions are being carried out for the conservation of the animal, such as the prohibition of its use in the fur industry and its development in protected areas.
