Animal identifier ยท Dogs and foxes
Vulpes velox
Shortgrass prairie. Much reduced from its old range, with populations on the central and northern plains and in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Very small canid track, about 1.25 to 1.75 inches.
What does a swift fox look like?
Small pale fox, black tail tip, large ears. Kit fox is the southwestern look-alike.
What do swift fox tracks look like?
Smaller than red fox. In prairie, a tiny straight canid trail near a burrow is the usual sign.
- Very small canid track, about 1.25 to 1.75 inches
- Narrow oval print with fine claw marks
- Straight trail in open grass, often near a den mound
- Black tip on the tail and a pale body if seen
- Scat is tiny, tapered, and left near the den
What does swift fox poop look like?
Thin tapered droppings with insect parts or rodent hair. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Shortgrass prairie. Much reduced from its old range, with populations on the central and northern plains and in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Typical places: field. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not handle droppings
- If the animal is injured or inside a building, call a local wildlife officer
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Red fox identification
- Kit fox identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
How do you tell a swift fox from a red fox?
Swift fox is much smaller, paler, and a prairie animal. The track is under 1.75 inches.
How to tell a swift fox from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Red fox. A dainty canid print. Red-orange body, black stockings, white tip on the tail.
- Kit fox. A very small fox print in sand. Pale gray-tan, oversized ears, black tail tip.
Swift fox field marks
- Very small canid track, about 1.25 to 1.75 inches
- Narrow oval print with fine claw marks
- Straight trail in open grass, often near a den mound
- Black tip on the tail and a pale body if seen
Where the sign shows up
Shortgrass prairie. Much reduced from its old range, with populations on the central and northern plains and in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Typical places: field. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
Smaller than red fox. In prairie, a tiny straight canid trail near a burrow is the usual sign. Thin tapered droppings with insect parts or rodent hair.
Common questions
How do you tell a swift fox from a red fox?
Swift fox is much smaller, paler, and a prairie animal. The track is under 1.75 inches.