Swift Fox Facts
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The swift fox (Vulpes velox) is a small fox around the size of a domestic house cat and found in the western grasslands of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
Fast Facts
Height: Swift foxes are between12 and 16 inches tall.
Length: 31 inches with tail.
Weight: 5-7 lbs.
Top speed: 30 mph.
Lifespan: 3 to 4 years.
Swift foxes have dark grayish tan coloration that extends to a yellow-tan color across their sides and legs. Their throat, chest and belly are pale yellow to white. They have black-tipped tails, black patches on their muzzles and noticeably large ears.
Diet
Swift foxes eat rabbits, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, mice, birds, reptiles, amphibians, berries and seeds.
Population
Swift fox population numbers in the wild are unknown, but they are found in less than 40% of their historic range.
Range
The swift fox is native to the Great Plains region of North America. Today the swift fox can be found in fragmented, smaller populations in portions of Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. See a swift fox range map >>
Historically, their range included prairies in central North America, extending north to central Alberta, Canada, and south to central Texas, east-west from western Iowa to Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Behavior
They received the name "swift" fox because of their speediness. Swift foxes are nocturnal, vocal and non-territorial. They spend more time underground in their burrows than any other canid. Although they are social animals, they keep one mate throughout their lifetime.
Did You Know?
The swift fox has been known to run very fast - it can reach speeds of over 30mph!
Reproduction
Mating Season: December to February.
Gestation: 51 days.
Litter Size: 4-5 kits.
The kits disperse in September and October.
Climate Change and Other Threats
One of the main threats to the swift fox is habitat loss as a result of conversion of grasslands for agriculture. In the past, they were impacted by trapping and incidental poisoning intended for wolves and coyotes. As part of federal eradication campaigns, poisoning also reduced swift fox food sources, such as prairie dogs and ground squirrels.
Climate change looms as an additional threat to the swift fox. According to one projection, suitable grassland habitat for the species in Colorado and New Mexico could shrink by 27% to 63% under various emissions scenarios.
Reasons for Hope
Learn about how swift foxes are making a comeback in Montana >>
Defenders at Work
Defenders of Wildlife is working with Indian tribes to restore the swift fox to tribal lands. Learn more about Defenders' work to save swift foxes >>
Read a "Species Spotlight" article on swift foxes from Defenders Magazine >>
Legal Status/Protection
- Endangered Species Act (ESA): In the United States, the swift fox was removed from candidate status under the ESA.
- In Canada, swift foxes are considered to be endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
- Learn more about legal status and protection of swift foxes >>
How You Can Help
- Help swift foxes and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
