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Swift Fox
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: V velox
Binomial name: Vulpes velox
The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) is a small fox found in the western grasslands of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. They also live in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada.
Taxonomy
The swift fox is closely related genetically to the kit fox Vulpes macrotis, but occupies a different geographical range. The two have historically been regarded as different species, for reasons basically related to size: the kit fox is slightly smaller than the swift fox, and the former has a narrower snout. However, hybrids between the two occur naturally where their ranges overlap, and some mammalogists (e.g. Dragoo et al, 1990) classify the two as subspecies of a single species, usually treated as Vulpes velox (with the swift fox being described as V. velox velox and the kit fox as V. velox macrotis). The molecular genetics evidence is not conclusive however, and some of those who have used it (e.g. Mercure et al, 1993) continue to treat the swift fox and kit fox as separate species.
Conservation status
The species was extirpated from Canada by 1938, but a reintroduction program started in 1983 has been successful (Sillero-Zubiri & Hoffmann, 2004). However, in May 2000, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the swift fox as an endangered species in Canada. In general, though, the IUCN Red List characterises it as of Least Concern, because populations elsewhere in its range are stable or increasing.
General characteristics
Swift foxes weigh 2 or 3 kg (4 to 7 pounds). The average size is 2.8 feet long, with a tail ranging in length between nine and thirteen inches. They are primarily nocturnal, and are more heavily dependent on their dens than most North American canids. They suffer serious predation by coyotes.
Like most canids, the swift fox is an omnivore. Rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, birds, insects and lizards are staples. Grasses and fruits round out their diet. However, like any efficient forager, the swift fox takes advantage of seasonal foods. During the summer, adults eat large amounts of insects, including beetles and grasshoppers and feed their young with larger prey items. Winter-killed deer and other carrion may also be important food sources.
Adult swift foxes live in pairs and may mate for life. They may occupy up to thirteen dens in one year, moving because prey is scarce or because skin parasites build up inside the den. Sometimes they make other burrows from other animals bigger, even though they are completely capable of digging one on their own. Recent research has shown that social organization in the swift fox is unusual among canids, since it is based on the females. Females maintain territories at all times, but males emigrate if the resident female is killed or removed.
"Source."
This picture has been shot in the "Rotterdam Zoo ."
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angela926, marhowie, Luis52, izler, Proframe has marked this note useful
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Nice portrait shot of this animal, plenty of space in front of it and a good neutral background.
Hello Thijs,
Great capture, fantastic composition, good point of view and terrific pose, excellent sharpness, very good depth of field, beautiful colors and very nice presentation.
Angela
Thijs,
Excellent picture. Very good composition to capture just the profile of the head. The catch light in the eye captures eye details very well.
- Murali Santhanam
Very nice post Thijs.
Excellent sharp detail and profile POV, with the inset full face view a great addition :)
Thank you,
Howard
Hallo Thijs,
Toen ik er was, liet ie zijn koppie niet zien:-)
Blijkt nu fotogeniek zijn. Verrek.
Mooie plaat!
Bedankt
Annick
- Luis52
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(12761) - [2008-03-29 15:31]
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Hola Thijs.
Exelente la presentacion. Un muy agradable encuadre de las dos fotos. La calidad de la imagen es exelente.
Saludos thijs.
Luis52.
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- EOSF1
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23469) - [2008-03-30 10:19]
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Hello Thijs, very good portrait of this beautiful fox. Very sharp details, great exposure and perfect background. Very high quality post, thanks!
Mario
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- izler
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 3 N: 30]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(504) - [2008-04-07 10:44]
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hello Thijs
wonderful portrait photo of this cute model
composition, POV, BG, light, colours, sharpness and details are great
TFS
regards
izler
Hoi Thijs,
What a beautiful portrait image and great note.
Also love the way you did insert the small image in wich the fox seems to stick its tongue out to you :)
Excellent composition leaving the fox lots of space on the right side to look in to.
Love the looks in the eye, the soft BG and the color tones.
Great work. TFS!!!
Groet, Harry
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 473 W: 19 N: 797]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3069)