Kit foxes are smaller and have larger ears than gray foxes, but the best field mark is the tail. If you see a band of black on the top of the tail then you know you are seeing a gray fox.
During my many years living in Big Bend National Park I saw a few kit foxes and discovered that they prefer more open and sandier areas of the park.
The IUCN has assessed the status of the kit fox in North America and summarizes its status as Least Concern on the Red List as follows:
The Kit Fox inhabits the deserts and arid lands of western North America. The species is common to rare, with population densities fluctuating with annual environmental conditions. Estimation of a population size for Mexico, or even population trends, is not possible with current information. However, because natural habitats occupied by the Kit Fox are being transformed, it is safe to assume that, overall, populations in Mexico are declining. The species currently does not meet any of the thresholds for the threatened categories, and is presently assessed as Least Concern.
***
For over 37 years Rick LoBello has dedicated his life to conservation education. LoBello currently pens the blog www.iloveparks.blogspot.com and works for the El Paso Zoo. To learn more about LoBello, visit his website www.iloveparks.com.
More Information: Click here to visit LoBello's Blog, www.iloveparks.blogspot.com
