MAMMALS OF THE REGION 95 



ARIZONA GRAY FOX 



Urocyon cinereoargenteus scottii 



Gray foxes (frontispiece), once numerous in this cave 

 region, like all of the small carnivores are now scarce, 

 doubtless owing to widespread poisoning of the range. 

 One old carcass was all that we found near the Carlsbad 

 Cavern, but a few tracks were seen in Slaughter 

 Canyon. These foxes are said to be more common in 

 the mountains, where the sweet berries of the checker- 

 barked juniper are abundant, and where the pine nuts 

 help to supply them with food. 



Not being very swift of foot they depend largely upon 

 rocks and small caves for cover and refuge, and when 

 pressed by dogs will climb to the tops of trees and hide 

 among the branches. Their climbing habits may well 

 have been developed by their fondness for the berries 

 and sweet fruit of junipers and other trees. 



The gray fox is smaller than the red fox and not so 

 swift. It has a flattened tail, with black tip, and rather 

 coarse gray fur with bright orange brown on throat, 

 sides, and legs. 



TEXAS COYOTE 



Canis latrans texensis 



Coyotes are not abundant in the cave region, but a 

 few follow the trails up the ridges and canyons from the 

 valley below where they hang around the stock ranches, 

 follow the herds of Angora gOats, and catch jack rab- 

 bits for a part of their living. At the cavern they were 

 occasionally heard howling at night, with long yap, yap. 



