Most of the time, these foxes remain underground during the day and emerge at night to hunt. They sleep in the same den, but usually forage on their own. This species is moderately social, and lives in pairs or small family groups. Zookeepers provide them with environmental enrichment and toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. Kits in zoos normally eat a diet of rodents, commercially prepared carnivore meat, and various fruits and veggies. For example, one male Kit at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in California injured his leg in the wild, and rescuers could not release him back into the wild. Most Kits in zoos live there because they could no longer survive in the wild. This is especially important for the San Joaquin Kit Fox, because their populations are small and still falling. Populations in zoos provide breeding programs in case reintroduction is necessary. In most places it is illegal to own a Kit as a pet. They look cute, but they are wild animals and are not friendly towards humans. Humans have not domesticated Kit Foxes in any way. Some of the primary concerns to the species are habitat destruction and the collapse of prairie dog colonies. The IUCN lists the Kit Fox as Least Concern. While their populations in some regions are on the decline, the species as a whole is stable. In addition to maintaining the natural ecosystem, they help eradicate pest rodents, particularly on farms and in urban areas. This fox is actually quite beneficial to humans. Even when they live in groups, Kits hunt alone. Some of the different animals that they hunt include rabbits, prairie dogs, rats, mice, jackrabbits, birds, snakes, lizards, and insects. They hunt a wide variety of prey, but rodents are their most common targets. When they eat plants, cactus fruit is one of their favorite choices. These little foxes are primarily carnivorous and eat mostly meat, though they do occasionally feed on fruits and berries. Their populations are common in some regions, and rarer in others. Their range extends into central Mexico in Chihuahua and Coahuila, as well as Baja California. The northernmost extent of their range extends all the way to Oregon, and they also live through California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and some surrounding areas. This species lives in North America, from the United States into Mexico. These habitats attract rodents, which the foxes hunt for food. Some Kits also range into manmade habitats, and like red foxes they range into some urban areas like suburbs, farms, and agricultural regions. They inhabit a number of different ecosystems within their range, including deserts, desert edges, chaparral, scrub, savanna, grassland, sand dune, and more. These little foxes range through arid and semi-arid regions in the southwest. In fact, coyotes kill more Kits than any other predator. Coyotes, which are also members of the Canidae family, are the primary predator of these little foxes. No Love Lost Between Cousins – The Kit Fox’s distant cousin is one of its most dangerous foes.Mom and Dad are more than happy to accept a helping hand, and the yearling foxes get to keep learning hunting skills. It is not unusual for members of the previous year’s litter to stay with their parents and help feed the new kits (babies). Familial Assistance – Sometimes young Kits aren’t quite ready to leave their parents.They hide in their shady underground dens and avoid the heat of the day, then emerge at night to hunt for food. This is one of the primary reasons why Kit Foxes are nocturnal, or active after dark. Feeding Habits – When it comes down to it, sometimes you just can’t beat the heat.Larger ears help the foxes release heat from their bodies, because more blood vessels pass close to the open air, which cools the blood within. The southwest is a hot region, and though Kits don’t have quite as impressive ears as fennec foxes, they do serve a similar purpose. Heat Release – While large ears are useful for hearing prey, they also serve another purpose.Learn more about their unique traits below. This fox species has several different adaptations that help it survive. Their fur is usually tan or grey, and they are normally darker on their back and lighter on their underbellies. Like most foxes, Kits have large ears which, at their longest, measure nearly four inches long. They are about a foot and a half long, and weigh about four or five pounds. In fact, it is the smallest canine species in North America. The Kit Fox is the smallest species of fox in North America.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |