FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



inches; tail vertebrae, 12.5 inches; hind foot, 5 inches; ear 

 from notch, 3.4 inches. Found in Cahfomia on Colorado 

 and Mohave Deserts, west to Palm Springs, Riverside 

 County, and north into Inyo County; Lower Sonoran Zone. 

 New Mexico Desert Fox. — Vulpes macrotis neomexicana 

 Merriam. 

 Larger than typical macrotis, with larger skull and heavier 

 teeth. Total length, 33 inches; tail vertebrae, 12 inches; 

 hind foot, 5.4 inches. Found in the Lower Sonoran Zone 

 in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and southwestern Texas; 

 limits of range unknown. 



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The Red Fox needs little introduction to the layman for it is 

 one of the common mammals of literature and zoological parks. 

 From .^sops Fables to the daily press the Fox is frequently 

 figured or his characteristics referred to in some way. Conse- 

 quently most of us know the Fox by reputation at least. 



Regardless of where it is found or which species it repre- 

 sents, the Red Fox is easily recognized because of its bright 

 reddish or fulvous color and its big, bushy tail. The several 

 color phases. Cross, Silver, or Black Foxes, although quite 

 different in color from the Red Fox, show all the other typical 

 Fox characters so clearly that they should be confused with 

 no others of the Canidas. 



Red Foxes prefer areas of diversified topography and en- 

 vironment. Although they range over the prairies and 

 forested sections they do not haunt the heavy, continuous 

 stands of unbroken timber nor do they live on open, brush- 

 less plains. Cover of some sort and suitable hunting grounds 

 are part of this animal's preferred environment. The indi- 

 vidual Fox does not seem to travel over a very extensive 

 range, and throughout the year usually does not cover an area 

 of more than five to ten miles across. 



Red Foxes are most active at night but move about during 

 the day as well and may be encountered at any hour. They 

 are alert, wary, and have keen eyes, ears, and noses. The 

 track of a Red Fox is very much like that of a small Dog. 

 These mammals dig burrows into banks or hillsides or ha^•e 

 dens in old hollow logs or stumps. The young are born in 

 March or April and number from four to nine. Both parents 

 share in the care of the family and are very solicitous of the 

 young. 



The Kit Fox is much smaller than the Red Fox and is a 

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