The swift fox is one of the species of foxes found around the world.
The swift fox is distinguished by its orange-tan color and small size.
It is also called the Canadian fox, because it is found abundantly in Canada, in addition to its presence in several regions of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
Therefore, if you are interested in this type of wild animal, take a few minutes to read this article on TekeTrek website and benefit from the information contained in it.
About the swift fox
- The Swift fox lifespan is about 3-6 years in the wild but can live up to 14 years in captivity.
- The swift fox operates at night from sunset until dawn in the summer, but you can see it during the day in the winter.
- He spends rest time, day or night, in his private den.
- The fast fox relies on its den to escape from predators that threaten its life. They are holes in the ground, ranging in length from 2-4 meters, and are well protected from rain. In addition, their ground is soft and there are some branches and grasses to avoid moisture.
- The fast fox runs at speeds exceeding 50 kilometers per hour to escape from predators that threaten its life and existence, the most important of which are the wolf, which kills it without having to eat it, the golden eagle, and the American badger.
- It is also vulnerable to being hunted by humans for trade in expensive fur, and it can be killed at night by being run over on public roads.
- The swift fox belongs to the phylum Chordata, a class of mammals.
Swift fox description
The swift fox is characterized by a set of characteristics that can be mentioned as follows:
- The swift fox is distinguished by its orange to dark gray color, with dark yellow color on the legs and sides, while it ranges between light yellow and white on the neck, chest and abdomen.
- The swift fox has a black tail at the tip, in addition to black spots at the mouth.
- The swift fox has noticeably long ears.
- The swift fox measures approximately 30cm high and 79cm long from head to tail.
- The weight of the swift fox ranges from about 5-7 pounds, and the male and female are similar in appearance, but the male is slightly larger than the female.
In short, it can be said that the size of the swift fox is approximately equal to the size of the domestic cat.
Swift fox habitat
The swift fox lives in short grass areas and deserts in groups or individually, and this depends on the geographical area in which it lives and the availability of food and water within it. This is because it is an animal that feeds on plants and small animals as well.
Do not forget that we live on this planet with other organisms, so it is natural to know some facts and information about them.
Swift fox diet
- The diet of the swift fox is like that of other types of foxes in the world, as its food consists of rabbits, mice, wild squirrels, birds, insects, and lizards, in addition to herbs and fruits.
- The fast fox also devours large parts of prey, such as deer and other carcasses, which are an essential source of food for it.
- The fox collects supplies at all times, especially seasonal foods produced in the summer, such as corn and some crops specific to the geographical areas in which it is distributed.
- The adult fox also eats large quantities of grasshoppers and beetles, which are considered daily food for it.
Fast fox Reproduction
- The mating season for the swift fox begins between December and February, and she gives birth between March and April.
- This applies to the swift fox that lives in the southern United States of America, as the mating season can vary from one region to another. For example, in Canada it begins in March and the pups are born in mid-May.
- The swift fox lives in pairs, in groups or singly. The male mates in the first year, while the female waits until the second year to mate, that is, until puberty. The male can marry a female every year.
- Pregnancy may take approximately 51 days, and the female gives birth to 4-5 puppies each time.
- The female places the puppies in the den and they remain for at least a month, while their eyes and ears remain closed for 10-15 days, and she depends on the mother for nutrition and protection all this time. The young are then weaned after the sixth or seventh week and remain with their parents until the fall.
- Recent research has shown a set of unusual behaviors by the swift fox and uncommon among other foxes, which are represented by the female occupying the territory while the males migrate from the land in the event of the female’s death or removal from her area.
Fast fox protection
- The fur of the swift fox is considered an expensive commodity, so many hunters hunted it and sold its fur, which led to a significant decrease in its numbers.
- Governments also killed many of them by mistake when they attacked wolves, coyotes, and other predators with the aim of killing them and reducing the harm they were causing.
- Therefore, governments and some associations specialized in caring for wild animals have decided to take care of this fox by raising awareness of the local population about the necessity of caring for the swift fox and protecting its cubs from any harm that could befall it, in addition to resettling it in its natural habitat and preventing humans from sabotaging the original environment in which the swift fox lives.
FAQs about the swift fox?
Many wild animal lovers confuse the swift fox with coyotes or even wolves, so they asked on social media and elsewhere about some of the questions revolving around it, including:
- How fast is a fast fox running?
The speed of the fast fox is about 50 km per hour.
- What is the diet followed by the swift fox?
The diet of the swift fox consists of a group of plant and animal elements, which are represented by some seeds, herbs, fruits, etc., in addition to the meat that it takes from birds, insects, and others.
- What is the role of the swift fox’s tail during its movement?
The tail balances while running, in addition to guiding it during rapid movement.
- Can the fast fox control its body temperature?
Yes, he can control his body temperature by changing his body color.
- How far can a fast fox cover in one day?
The fast fox can cover a distance of no less than 10 km per day.
- How many swift foxes are left in Canada?
There are about 647 of them in Canada.
- What color is a swift fox?
Swift fox color is orange.
- How tall is a swift fox?
swift fox tall is 20 inches.
- How does a swift fox communicate?
Swift fox communicate by a vocalizations, body language, and scent marking.
- What animal eats a swift fox?
Coyotes, badgers, golden eagles and bobcats can eat swift fox.
Is the fox fast?
yes, yes swift fox fast is 50 kilometer.
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning the need to focus on the need to care for the swift fox to protect it from extinction.
