Family CANIDAE 



115 



Length measurements: head and body 28-29 inches (720-750 

 mm.), tail 11-12 inches (280-300 mm.), over-all 39-41 inches 

 (1,000-1.050 mm.), hind foot 4^-5^ inches (120 145 mm.), 

 ear from notch 2 : \s-3 inches (60-75 mm.). Weight: 5-12 

 pounds, average about 9] _• pounds. 



The skull is about 130 mm. (5'x inches) long and has two 

 prominent ridges on each side of the braincase, fig. 60b ; each 



Fig. 70.— Gray fox. 



lower jaw has an extra notch or step, fig. bOt/, at the posterior 

 end. Dental formula: I 3 3, C 1/1, Pm 4 4. M 2/3. 



Life History. — The gray fox is an animal of the forest, fig. 

 1, and of river bottoms and bluffs, but it is sometimes seen in 

 semiopen brushland. A reduction in lumbering and the establish- 

 ment of forest preserves and other woodland sanctuaries in 

 Illinois have provided ideal habitat for this intriguing species. 

 The gray fox uses a ground den less frequently than does the 

 red fox, and instead may choose a hollow tree, a hollow log, <»r 

 a hole among some rocky cliffs. When pursued or startled, it 

 may climb a tree, not as nimbly as a squirrel but with surpris- 

 ing speed, and take refuge among the small branches. 



