140 likes | 327 Views
GRAY FOXES (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). By: Irma Berrones & Julisa Garcia. Introduction. Taxonomic Note. Cinereoargenteus comes from Greek words: “cinereus” – ash-colored “argenteus” – silver Urocyon is the genus name also derived from Greek words: “uro” – tail “cyon” - dog.
E N D
GRAY FOXES(Urocyon cinereoargenteus) By: Irma Berrones & Julisa Garcia
Taxonomic Note • Cinereoargenteus comes from Greek words: • “cinereus” – ash-colored • “argenteus” – silver • Urocyon is the genus name also derived from Greek words: • “uro” – tail • “cyon” - dog
Taxonomy • Kingdom - Animalia • Phylum - Chordata • Class - Mammalia • Order - Carnivora • Family - Canidae • Genus - Urocyon • Species - Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Description • Small, similar to the red foxes • Mostly gray with some light red markings on its neck, stomach, and legs • Bushy tail with a black line along the midline • Common measurements: • Height – 14-15in • Body length of 21-30in • Weighs about 7-13lb. • Length of tail about 11-16in
Range • Found in deciduous woodlands • Southern Canada to Venezuela in South America • Heavily wooded swamps • Rough, hilly terrain near streams and lakes • Dens can normally be found in rocky outcrops, at the base of cliffs, or under large boulders
Quick Quiz 1. What is the scientific name of the gray fox? 2. What are the colors of the gray fox? 3. Where is the gray fox found? • Answers: • 1. Urocyon cinereoargenteus • 2. Mostly gray with some light red • 3. Southern Canada to Venezuela in South America
Characteristics&Behavior • Great ability to Climb trees • Strong, hooked claws that allow them to move quickly up trees • Jump from branch to branch • They are in hollow trees, stumps, or old woodchuck burrows during the day
Diet • Eat variety of food: • voles rodents • Field mice rabbits various plants insects Shrews reptiles • Birds • Eastern cottontail – most important food source to gray foxes
Reproduction • Breeding season is in January – March • Gestation lasts about 53 days • At 3 months pups start hunting with their parents • Family stays together till autumn when young reach sexual maturity
Threats • The gray fox is pray of: • Cougars • Eagles • Wolves • Coyotes • Humans who kill them for their fur • Annually half a million are killed
Work Cited Chamberlain, Michael J. 2001. Movements and Space Use of Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Folllowing Mate Loss. The American Midland Naturalist. 147:409-419 Cryer, Lauren J. and Mazzotti, Frank J. 1999. Gray Fox (urocon cinceroargenteus). Wildlife Ecology and Concervation. 31:1-2 Johnson, W.E. 1992. Patagonia’s Little Foxes. Natural History. 101 (4):26, 27 Cummings, Wiley. 2002. Common Gray Fox. www.rw.ttu.edu/sp_accounts/gray_fox/mortality.htm