Vulpes velox

(Say, 1823)

Vernacular names
English : Swift Fox
French : Renard véloce

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae
Notes : No subspecies known. Some authors recognise up to 3 subspecies.

Identification
Body length of 54 cm, tail length of 34 cm, weight of 2.5 kg. Long bushy tail, pointed ears and long snout. Coloration is grey, light beige on lower flanks and sides of neck. Lips, chin and breast brown, black spots on sides of snout.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in North America, from south-central Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to central USA, from Montana to north-west Texas. Mostly found in short grass and mixed-grass prairies.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has been reintroduced in Canada. In USA, it is locally common but still declining because of habitat loss and, to a less extent, hunting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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