AL Gray Fox Hunting Guide

Also known as: Gray fox, tree fox

The gray fox, or grey fox, is an omnivorous mammal of the family Canidae, widespread throughout North America and Central America. This species and its only congener, the diminutive island fox of the California Channel Islands, are the only living members of the genus Urocyon, which is considered to be genetically sister to all other living canids. Its species name cinereoargenteus means "ashen silver".

Habitat & Range

The species occurs throughout most rocky, wooded, brushy regions of the southern half ofNorth Americafrom southernCanada(Manitobathrough southeasternQuebec)[24]to the northern part ofSouth America(VenezuelaandColombia), excluding the mountains of northwestern United States.[25]The species prefers a mix of wooded and agricultural land in the Midwest, juniper forests as well as ponderosa pine in the west, and deciduous forests in the east.[26]It is the only canid whose natural range spans both North and South America.[27]In some areas, high population densities exist near brush-covered bluffs.[11]The species prefers a mix of forest and agricultural land towards the southern part of their range (Belize ).[28]In southeastern Mexico, the species prefers areas with a human presence such as near roads.[29]

Life History

Thegray fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus), orgrey fox, is anomnivorousmammalof the familyCanidae, widespread throughoutNorth AmericaandCentral America. This species and its onlycongener, the diminutiveisland fox(Urocyon littoralis) of the CaliforniaChannel Islands, are the only living members of thegenusUrocyon, which is considered to be geneticallysisterto all other livingcanids. Itsspecies namecinereoargenteusmeans "ashensilver". It was once the most commonfoxin the easternUnited States, and though still found there, human advancement anddeforestationallowed thered foxto become the predominantfox-like canid. Despite this post-colonial competition, the gray fox has been able to thrive in urban and suburban environments, one of the best examples beingsouthern Florida.[2][3]ThePacific StatesandGreat Lakes regionstill have the gray fox as their prevalentfox.[4][5][6] The gray fox is mainly distinguished from most othercanidsby its grizzled upper parts, black stripe down its tail and strong neck, ending in a black-tipped tail, while the skull can be easily distinguished from all other North American canids by its widely separatedtemporalridges that form a 'U'-shape. Like other canids, the fox's ears and muzzle are angular and pointed. Its claws tend to be lengthier and curved. There is littlesexual dimorphism, save for the females being slightly smaller than males. The gray fox ranges from 76 to 112.5 cm (29.9 to 44.3 in) in total length. The tail measures 27.5 to 44.3 cm (10.8 to 17.4 in) of that length and its hind feet measure 100 to 150 mm (3.9 to 5.9 in). The gray fox typically weighs 3.6 to 7 kg (7.9 to 15.4 lb), though exceptionally large individuals can weigh as much as 9 kg (20 lb).[7][8][9][10]The gray fox is readily distinguished from thered foxby its obvious lack of the "black stockings" that stand out on the red fox. The grey fox has a stripe of black hair that runs along the middle of its tail, and individualguard hairsthat are banded with white, gray, and black.[11]The gray fox displays white on the ears, throat, chest, belly, and hind legs.[11]Gray foxes also have black around their eyes, on the lips, and on their noses.[12] In contrast to the species in genusVulpes, such as the red fox, the gray fox has oval (instead of slit-like) pupils.13The gray fox also has reddish coloration on parts of its body, including the legs, sides, feet, chest, and back and sides of the head and neck.[10]The stripe on the fox's tail ends in a black tip as well.[14]Its weight can be similar to that of a red fox, but the gray fox appears smaller because itsfuris not as long and it has shorter limbs.[15] Thedental formulaofU. cinereoargenteusis3.1.4.23.1.4.3= 42.[11] The gray fox is specifically adapted to climb trees. Its strong, hooked claws allow it to scramble up trees to escape many predators, such as thedomestic dogor thecoyote,[30]or to reach tree-bound or arboreal food sources. It can climb branchless, vertical trunks to heights of 18 metres (59 ft) and jump from branch to branch.[31]It descends primarily by jumping from branch to branch, or by descending slowly backwards like adomestic cat. The gray fox is primarilynocturnalorcrepuscularand makes its den in hollow trees, stumps or appropriated burrows during the day. Such gray fox tree dens may be located 30 ft (9 m) above the ground.13For the most part, they rest on the ground rather than higher up in trees. Prior to European colonization of North America, the red fox was found primarily in boreal forest and the gray fox in deciduous forest. With the increase in human populations in North America, their habitat selection has adapted: Gray foxes that live near human populations tend to choose areas near hardwood trees, locations used primarily by humans, or roads to utilize as their habitat. The increase of coyote populations around North America has reduced certain fox populations, so gray foxes choose habitats that will allow escape from coyotes, therefore the foxes's tendency to live nearer to areas where humans are active. The larger predators of the gray fox, like coyotes andbobcats, tend to avoid human-use areas and paved roads. They heavily utilize the edges of forests as a travel corridor, which is used for primary movement from place to place. Their choices do not change based on sex, the season, or the time of day. They also do the majority of their hunting in edges, and use them to escape from predators as well. Gray foxes are thus known as an "edge species."[32] The gray fox is assumed to bemonogamous, like other foxes. The breeding season of the gray fox varies geographically; inMichigan, the gray fox mates in early March, inAlabama, breeding peaks occur in February. The gestation period lasts approximately 53 days. Litter size ranges from 1–7, with a mean of 3.8 young per female. The sexual maturity of females is around 10 months of age. Kits begin to hunt with their parents at the age of 3 months. By the time that they are 4 months old, the kits will have developed their permanent dentition and can now easily forage on their own. The family group remains together until the autumn, when the young males reach sexual maturity, then they disperse.[21]In a study of 9 juvenile gray foxes, only the males dispersed, moving up to 84 km (52 mi). The juvenile females stayed within proximity of the den within 3 km (1.9 mi) and always returned.[37]Adult gray foxes showed no signs of dispersion for either sex.[38]The gray fox will typically live between six and ten years.[39] The annual reproductive cycle of males has been described through epididymal smears. They become fertile earlier and remain fertile longer than females.[21] Logs, trees, rocks, burrows, or abandoned dwellings serve as suitable den sites. Dens are used at any time during the year but mostly during whelping season. Dens are built in brushy or wooded regions and are better concealed than the dens of thered fox.[11] The gray fox is anomnivorous, solitary hunter. It frequently preys on theeastern cottontail(Sylvilagus floridanus) in the eastern U.S., though it will readily catchvoles,shrews, andbirds. In California, the gray fox primarily eats rodents (such asdeer mice,woodrats, andcotton rats),[40]followed bylagomorphs, e.g.jackrabbit,brush rabbit, etc.[30]When it is available, gray foxes may also feed oncarrion.[40]In some parts of the Western United States (such as in the Zion National Park in Utah), the gray fox is primarily insectivorous and herbivorous.13Fruit is an important component of the diet of the gray fox, and they seek whateverfruitsare readily available, generally eating more vegetable matter than does thered fox(Vulpes vulpes).[7]Generally, there is an increase in fruits and invertebrates (such asgrasshoppers,beetles,butterflies, andmoths)[40]within the gray fox's diet in the transition from winter to spring. As nuts, grains, and fruits become more numerous, they arecachedby foxes. Typically, they attempt to cover the area with their scent either through their scent glands or urine. This marking serves the dual purpose of allowing them to find the food again later and preventing other animals from taking it.[41]

Hunting Season

Nov 15 - Feb 28.

References

• Alabama — Gray Fox