Kit Fox

Taxobox
name = Kit FoxMSW3 Wozencraft | id = 14000878]
status = LC
trend = down
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = IUCN2007 | assessors = Sillero-Zubiri, C. & Hoffmann, M. | year = 2004 | title = Vulpes macrotis | id = 41587 | downloaded = 2008-04-24]
image_width = 250px


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Carnivora
familia = Canidae
genus = "Vulpes"
species = "V. macrotis"
binomial = "Vulpes macrotis"
binomial_authority = Merriam, 1888
synonyms =
*"arizonensis" Goldman, 1931
*"arsipus" Elliot, 1904
*"devius" Nelson and Goldman, 1909
*"muticus" Merriam, 1902
*"neomexicanus" Merriam, 1902
*"nevadensis" Goldman, 1931
*"tenuirostris" Nelson and Goldman, 1931
*"zinseri" Benson, 1938

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.

Hunting and eating habits

The Kit Fox is mostly a nocturnal animal but sometimes ventures out of its den during the day. The Kit Fox usually goes out to hunt shortly after sunset, mostly eating small animals like kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, insects, fish, and small birds. Different Kit Fox families can occupy the same hunting grounds, but do not generally go hunting at the same time.

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 cubs (McGrew 1979).

ubspecies

The Kit Fox has no recognized subspecies, although some populations have been proposed as subspecies.

The San Joaquin Kit Fox ("Vulpes macrotis mutica") was formerly common in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Its 1990 population was estimated to be 7,000, and it is now considered endangered. On September 26 2007, Wildlands, Inc. announced the designation of the 684-acre Deadman Creek Conservation Bank, which is intended specifically to protect habitat of the San Joaquin Kit Fox. [http://www.enn.com/animals/article/23452 Kit Fox Gets Some Protection, In California] ]

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.

References

External links

*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Vulpes_macrotis/ images and movies of the kit fox "(Vulpes macrotis)"]
* [http://www.vulpes.org/foxden/information/san-joaquin-kit-fox.htm San Joaquin Kit Fox]
* [http://www.conservationinstitute.org/pcn/pcn_kit_fox.htm San Joaquin Kit Fox]