Swift Fox

grasslands · North America · small predator · fast

Tiny but speedy. Swift foxes are about the size of a domestic cat, with light orange-tan fur that helps them blend into the prairie landscape. Their name comes from their incredible speed, which helps them catch small prey like rabbits and mice.

Prairie home. These foxes live in the Great Plains grasslands of places like Montana, Colorado, Texas, and Kansas, as well as across parts of Canada including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. They prefer open, flat areas where they can spot danger from far away.

Close cousin. Swift foxes are very closely related to kit foxes, and scientists still debate whether they should even be considered separate species. When the two types live near each other, they sometimes have babies together, though this happens pretty rarely.

Once lost, now back. Swift foxes disappeared completely from Canada for many years but have since been brought back to their old home there through special conservation efforts. This shows how dedicated people can help wild animals return to places where they used to live.

Night hunter. These small foxes are most active at night, when they hunt for food and explore their territory across the grasslands under the stars.