They also eat a variety of small rodents and birds that stay close to the ground. The Kit fox uses its large ears to find insects, lizards, snakes, and rodents. Unfortunately, there are only approximately 7,000 left in the wild. One subspecies is the San Joaquin Kit fox ( Vulpes macrotis mutica) which has become endangered due to the threatened species of plants and animals that it consumes. They have a smaller distribution than most foxes, limiting their range to the southwest regions of the United States and Mexico. Being a desert-dweller itself, this individual relies on its hearing, hence the name “macrotis”, or “big ears”. There is still the bushy tail and the large ears, yet it has a more slender body than most foxes do. The body of a Kit fox is different when compared amongst other members of Vulpes. Some even have been found to climb palm trees in order to feed on fruit.Īnother small species, the Kit fox ( Vulpes macrotis) weighs between 3.5 to 6 pounds or 1.5 to 2.7 kilograms. They also prey on rodents, birds, eggs, and rabbits, making them an opportunistic omnivore. Their large ears help to find a variety of lizards and insects that may burrow under the top layer of sand. Being nocturnal works in its favor as it can avoid the heat of the sun while foraging. This fox is incredibly gifted in its ability to survive harsh desert conditions. These animals are able to thrive in the sandy habitats of North Africa, namely the Sahara Desert. In contrast to separate foxes, they are a tannish yellow or cream color with larger ears. They typically weigh only between 2 to 3.25 pounds or 1 to 1.5 kilograms compared to other species that range from around 5 to 15 pounds or 2 to 7 kilograms. The Fennec fox ( Vulpes zerda) is known to be one of the smallest members of Vulpes. The following species can be found in specific habitats of their own, making them seek out certain food items. To truly grasp how unique foxes are, we must look at the more commonly known Vulpes.įoxes are highly adaptive, making them easy to adjust to different biomes, even if that were around humans. Due to their widespread distribution, separate species can be observed hunting different types of prey. Those listed in the genus Vulpes can be found worldwide, making them an interesting study. Each of these traits helps the fox to locate and capture its prey. Separating themselves from the other canids, these individuals typically share a bushy tail, shorter body, slender legs, and ears that are large and erect. There are 37 known species of foxes, though only 12 can be found in the genus referred to as Vulpes, or the “true foxes”. The fox is a member of the family Canidae which makes up dogs, wolves, and jackals. Having a background on foxes will aid in understanding what they eat and why. Foxes are also known to travel from one place to another in search of food, but this depends on where they live. They typically hunt during the evening hours, making them a nocturnal species. Their diet tends to consist of small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, berries and insects. You might assume that these small hunters are carnivores, but they are actually considered omnivores, meaning that they prey upon other animals and plants. What Do Foxes Eat in Different Seasons?.
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