The swift fox is currently an endangered species, but due to conservation efforts it is being saved. It is important to understand that as humans we do have the power to wipe out or save species, but that what happens to them ultimately affects us. We need to be responsible with this power, and focus our efforts into coexisting with the other wonderful species around us.

Current Estimated Population of the Swift Fox:

Only 120 to 150 swift foxes are in Canada. These include the survivors of the 600 foxes released into the wild from breeding centers.

Feeding Habits:

Swift foxes do not only focus on a few types of pray; there is a wide variety for what they choose to hunt. This includes insects, reptiles, amphibians, dead and decaying animals (remains from wolf and bear kills), mice and cottontail rabbits. Swift foxes are more opportunistic hunters than anything, so they eat whatever they can find.

Habitat:

Swift foxes use speed to catch their pray, so they like wide open spaces with a lot of visibility. So, in other words, they like prairies with mixed grass. That’s not all though, swift foxes live in dens, so they need well-drained terrain. That means hilltops and slopes, with a permanent water source near by.

Cause of Endangerment:

Back in the days of fur-trading there were hundreds of traps set for animals to get their pelts. The swift fox was not one of those animals with prized fur; it was too coarse and their pelts were too small. Unfortunately they fell pray to many traps even though they were not set for them, and the numbers of dead swift foxes used to read over 4 000 every year. But, in 1920, they counted number of swift fox pelts dropped to a mere 500. Hunting, severe winters, droughts, and destruction of their habitat for farming led to the disappearance of the swift fox in Canada in around 1928.

Current Status:

Due to wildlife conservation groups the swift fox was reintroduced to Canada in 1983. During the fur trade swift foxes only disappeared in Canada; a number of them still remained in the States. After breeding them in captivity, they were released back in Canada. Despite the increased number of coyotes, a natural predator of the swift fox, they are doing relatively well and our conservation efforts have been labeled a success.

Interesting Information and Facts:

• Unlike most foxes, the swift fox resides in a den throughout the whole year because of its low tolerance for wind.
• The swift fox has a much smaller size than a normal fox; it is about the size of a house cat.
• It gets its name from its speed; it can reach up to 60km/h
• The swift fox has been around for several thousand years, and used to play an important role in natives’ tales.
• They can live up to 13 years
• Is mostly a nocturnal animal
• Due to its small size the swift fox creates the illusion of running much faster than it actually does