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Photo by Lynn Chamberlain
Photo Copyright Lynn Chamberlain
Common Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S3S4
External links
General information
The common gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, is native to woodland and shrubland habitats of central and southern Utah. The range of the species also includes much of the rest of the United States and Mexico. Although the gray fox is similar to other fox species, it can be distinguished by the combination of a median black stripe down the length of the tail and a black tip on the tail.
The gray fox is an opportunistic omnivore, eating small mammals, insects, birds, fruits, and eggs. The species mates in late winter, with females producing a litter of three to five young about two months later, in April or May. Gray foxes are primarily nocturnal, but they can be active at all times of the day. Gray fox dens usually occur in small caves, hollows in logs or trees, beneath boulders, or in abandoned burrows of other animals. Interestingly, gray foxes often climb trees to avoid danger.
Phenology
Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, but often active in daytime.
Species range
Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado in the west and the U.S.-Canadian border in the east, south through Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia and Venezuela (Wozencraft, in Wilson and Reeder 1993). See Steers (1979 COSEWIC report) for information on distribution in Canada.
Habitat
Often in woodland and shrubland in rough, broken country. Usually avoids open areas. May climb tree to avoid danger. Dens in cleft, small cave, hollow in tree or log, or debris pile; less frequently in burrow abandoned by other mammal.
Food habits
Opportunistic omnivore. Often chiefly depends on rabbits and other small mammals in winter, insects and fruit in summer. Overall diet may be dominated by plant material in some areas.
Ecology
Home range up to a few square miles in winter, less in summer (Richards and Hine 1953). Home ranges may or may not overlap. Probably reaches peak densities every 10 years. Probably averages around one family for every 4 square miles.
Reproductive characteristics
Breeds mainly in winter. Gestation lasts 51-63 days (average 53). Parturition occurs in April or May in the south-central U.S. Litter size averages 3-5. Parturition occurs March-April. Weaned in 8-10 weeks. Sexually mature within 1 year.
References
- Biotics Database. 2005. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, NatureServe, and the network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.
- Burt, W. H. and R. P. Grossenheider. 1980. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 289 pp.
