Kit Fox
Vulpes macrotis
Body length: 15 - 20"
Diet: Small mammals
Kit foxes are small creatures, almost catlike in appearance. Sometimes called
"swift" foxes, kit foxes can run quickly for short distances. Unlike
coyotes and gray fox, kit foxes
seem to do poorly around humans, and their numbers have probably declined as a
result of fur-trapping, animal control poisoning, and loss of habitat.
It seems unlikely that this species occurs at Tonto National Monument. The official
northern boundary for the kit fox in Arizona was based on sightings from the Monument
and vicinity, but kit foxes are easily confused with gray foxes and young coyotes.
A specimen of an individual killed on the road or photograph is necessary to confirm
the presence of this species in the Monument. If they occur here, it would probably
be north of Route 188.
NPS
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Updated
May 8, 2005