Unique Qualities:

The Swift Fox got its name because it is known for being speedy. It is the smallest of all the North American wild dogs and weighs between 2 and 3 kilograms. It can live for 6-8 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity. The Swift Fox is a social mammal but it keeps one mate for its entire life.

Can be Seen:

You can find the Swift Fox in Saskatchewan and Alberta in the prairies.

Likes to hang out:

Swift foxes live in grassland habitats, where they dig dens or use old badger burrows to hang out in during the day. Their dens protect them from predators and bad weather, and give them a place to raise their kits (babies). In the colder months these foxes spend more time in their dens than any other canine species.

Likes to Eat:

The Swift Fox is a “nocturnal” animal, which means that it stays awake all night to hunt and it sleeps during the day. Each night the foxes travel far away from their dens for long periods of time to look for food. The Swift Fox will eat whatever it can find, such as small mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, grasses, insects, berries, etc.

Status:

The Swift Fox is an endangered species. In fact, just 3 decades ago, they were extirpated from the prairie provinces, which means there were none left in that area. Since the 1970’s, over 800 Swift Fox’s have been reintroduced into the wild. Today, their biggest threat to survival comes from their habitats being turned into agricultural land. Also, they are an easy target for hunters because they are not frightened by humans.

Extra Info:

• When the Kits (babies) are reintroduced to the wild, they begin to hunt almost immediately.
• The Swift Fox is a vocal species and has a distinct yelp that is used to warn one another of predators.

 

Did You Know?

In Swift Fox communities, any adult will help to take care of the babies, not just the parents!