Posted: April 30, 2023

Our Wildlife of the Week – 2023 Week 18…

Meet the “Swift Fox”!

(Vulpes velox)

A Swift Fox in grasslands — Primarily a nocturnal species, this individual was spotted during the day in north-central Colorado.

Swift Fox Physical Description

The Swift Fox is the smallest of the wild dogs in North America. Adults weigh between 4 to 7 lbs (2 to 3 kilograms) and are approximately 12 in (30 cm) tall and 31 in (80 cm) long. They are about the size of a domestic cat. Males and females look similar except that males are slightly larger.¹

The fur of the Swift Fox is light grey with orange-tan coloring on the sides and legs. The throat, chest, underside and inside of the ears are creamy white. The tail is bushy and marked with black at the tip. There are also black patches on either side of the snout.¹

2 young Swift Foxes sitting in a meadow. — 2 young Swift Foxes sitting in a field, one collared for monitoring.

Swift Foxes sometimes pair for life, but may not necessarily mate with the same partner each year. Swift Foxes have only one litter annually, with a litter size ranging anywhere from 2 to 6. Pups are born in the underground den and typically remain there for about one month. After birth, the eyes and ears of the pups remain closed for 10 to 15 days, thus leaving them dependent on the mother for food and protection. Pups are weaned when 6 to 7 weeks old but usually remain with the mother and father until the fall.¹

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Swift Fox In Action

A Swift Fox in tall dry grass, running — A Swift Fox runs swiftly through a field of tall grass in Blaine County

The Swift Fox is indeed rather swift, reaching speeds of over 31 mph (50 kmh). Their speed helps them catch food and avoid predators. Swift Foxes also avoid predators by seeking shelter in burrows. Their dens are burrows underground, usually 2-4 meters in length with 4 entrances.¹

The Swift Fox is mainly a nocturnal species. Daytime activities are confined to dens and vary seasonally. In winter, foxes may sun bathe during the warm midday period, while in summer they only spend early evenings and nighttime above ground.¹

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Where to Spot Swift Foxes

A Swift Fox standing on the edge of a rock road with tall grass behind — Swift Fox, Thunder Basin, WY.

Swift Foxes live primarily in shortgrass prairies and deserts. They often form their dens in sandy soils on open prairies, along fences or in plowed fields. At present, there are a few scattered populations of Swift Foxes in the Great Plains of the U.S. and in western Canada. The largest population is in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Wyoming, where the species is stable.¹

The Swift Fox can be found in over 6 National Parks and other National Park Service sites.² Including:

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Swift Fox Conservation Status

A Swift Fox sits in a field of grass — This Swift Fox doesn’t mind living in town, where the grocery store is never far. He prefers to do his shopping at night and just might bump into his neighbor, the black-footed ferret on this private land in western Kansas.

The Swift Fox is a severely endangered species and is listed as an Endangered Species in the United States. It has faced habitat losses due to agricultural, industrial and urban development. Hundreds of Swift Foxes were killed accidentally during the early 1930s from predator control programs aimed at removing wolves, coyotes, and ground squirrels from prairies. In 1978, the species was declared extirpated in Canada. There are currently populations of Swift Foxes in the U.S. ranging from South Dakota to Texas. However, the population is stable only in the central part of the range.¹

Several things can be done to try to prevent further loss of and to encourage repopulation of Swift Foxes. Preserving the habitats of the foxes is crucial. Also, captive breeding could help increase the number of Swift Foxes. Reintroduction programs, like the ones in western Canada, may also be successful in restoring the Swift Fox to its natural habitat. However, a large number of reintroduced individuals do not survive their first year in the wild for one reason or another. Therefore, populations must be monitored and protected from human harm. Even though it is illegal to kill Swift Foxes, they are sometimes mistaken as coyotes and killed.¹

Swift Foxes and You

Have you seen a Swift Fox in it’s natural environment? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Do you have a picture of these amazing creatures? Share it on social media with us and tag us in your post.

Use the hashtag:
#WildlifeOfTheWeek.

Interested in Wildlife Photography???
Check out this amazing beginners guide from National Geographic:
National Geographic Photo Basics The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Great Photography

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Learn more about all the amazing wildlife in our National Parks and how to safely “Watch Wildlife” on this amazing page with lots of resources from the National Park Service!

Want tips for photographing wildlife? Check out this great article for tips from the National Park Service.

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