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Urocyon cinereoargenteus

(Schreber, 1775)

Gray Fox

G5Secure Found in 187 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104188
Element CodeAMAJA04010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyCanidae
GenusUrocyon
Other Common Names
gray fox (EN) Grey Fox (EN) Renard gris (FR) Zorro Gris, Tigrillo (ES)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Taxonomic Comments
Has been placed in the genus Canis or in the genus Vulpes by some authors. Urocyon cinereoargenteus and U. littoralis have been regarded as possibly conspecific by some authors; treated as distinct species by Jones et al. (1992) and Wozencraft (in Wilson and Reeder 2005).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-05
Change Date1996-11-15
Range Extent Comments
Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado in the west and the U.S.-Canadian border in the east, south through Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia and Venezuela (Wozencraft, in Wilson and Reeder 1993). See Steers (1979 COSEWIC report) for information on distribution in Canada.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Often in woodland and shrubland in rough, broken country. Usually avoids open areas. May climb tree to avoid danger. Dens in cleft, small cave, hollow in tree or log, or debris pile; less frequently in burrow abandoned by other mammal.

Ecology

Home range up to a few square miles in winter, less in summer (Richards and Hine 1953). Home ranges may or may not overlap. Probably reaches peak densities every 10 years. Probably averages around one family for every 4 square miles.

Reproduction

Breeds mainly in winter. Gestation lasts 51-63 days (average 53). Parturition occurs in April or May in the south-central U.S. Litter size averages 3-5. Parturition occurs March-April. Weaned in 8-10 weeks. Sexually mature within 1 year.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousDesertCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN2
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioS2Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
TexasS5Yes
District of ColumbiaS3Yes
South CarolinaS4Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
OregonS4Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
ArizonaS5Yes
LouisianaS4Yes
ColoradoS4Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
KansasS3Yes
MassachusettsS5Yes
ArkansasS5Yes
IowaS3Yes
North DakotaS1Yes
NebraskaS4Yes
New YorkS5Yes
DelawareS5Yes
South DakotaS5Yes
MississippiS5Yes
IllinoisS5Yes
UtahS3Yes
AlabamaS5Yes
ConnecticutS5Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
FloridaSNRYes
MissouriS4Yes
MaineS5Yes
New HampshireS4Yes
New MexicoS5Yes
IndianaS3Yes
MichiganS4Yes
NevadaS5Yes
New JerseyS5Yes
MarylandS5Yes
Rhode IslandS5Yes
TennesseeS5Yes
GeorgiaS5Yes
KentuckyS4Yes
WisconsinS4Yes
OklahomaS3Yes
Navajo NationS5Yes
VermontS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial development——High (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areas——High (continuing)
1.2 - Commercial & industrial areas——High (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquaculture——High (continuing)
2.1 - Annual & perennial non-timber crops——High (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranching——High (continuing)

—

Roadless Areas (187)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Arizona (28)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Black CrossTonto National Forest5,966
BoulderTonto National Forest40,359
Campbell BlueApache-Sitgreaves National Forests7,003
Catalina St. Pk. Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest951
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
East Clear CreekCoconino National Forest1,613
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
Happy ValleyCoronado National Forest7,972
HellsgateTonto National Forest6,171
Horse MesaTonto National Forest9,146
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Middle Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest10,543
Middle Romero WSRCoronado National Forest60
MuldoonPrescott National Forest5,821
Oracle RoadlessCoronado National Forest22,365
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
PipestemApache-Sitgreaves National Forests34,598
SalomeTonto National Forest2,932
Salt HouseApache-Sitgreaves National Forests21,848
Santa TeresaCoronado National Forest8,929
Sierra Ancha Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest7,787
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
Upper Romero WsrCoronado National Forest150
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
California (108)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Bald MountainTahoe National Forest5,832
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest11,940
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest11,556
Benton RangeInyo National Forest9,637
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest3,106
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest6,618
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest7,472
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest6,375
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest8,402
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest11,933
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest6,553
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Ferguson RidgeSierra National Forest6,104
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest7,850
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Hixon FlatSan Bernardino National Forest8,095
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
JuncalLos Padres National Forest12,289
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Machesna MountainLos Padres National Forest12,271
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
No NameCleveland National Forest4,897
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
North MountainStanislaus National Forest7,856
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
PantherShasta-Trinity National Forest12,016
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
QuatalLos Padres National Forest7,253
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
RubiconEldorado National Forest4,872
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest6,511
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest16,786
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
TrabucoCleveland National Forest23,341
Trumbull PeakStanislaus National Forest6,164
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
West ForkAngeles National Forest1,169
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest18,632
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Colorado (1)
AreaForestAcres
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Florida (1)
AreaForestAcres
Alexander Springs CreekOcala National Forest2,954
Georgia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Maine (1)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Minnesota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Phantom LakeSuperior National Forest6,521
Missouri (1)
AreaForestAcres
Irish Rare II Study AreaMark Twain National Forest1,226
Nevada (5)
AreaForestAcres
Angel Peak NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,577
Angel Peak SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,540
PotosiHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,145
Snake - Mt. WashingtonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,749
Snake - Peacock CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,069
New Hampshire (1)
AreaForestAcres
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
New Mexico (20)
AreaForestAcres
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Last Chance CanyonLincoln National Forest8,934
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
Lower San FranciscoGila National Forest26,460
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
Nichols ReservoirSanta Fe National Forest1,518
Ortega PeakLincoln National Forest11,545
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Ryan HillCibola National Forest34,201
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
North Carolina (1)
AreaForestAcres
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Oregon (9)
AreaForestAcres
Drift CreekSiuslaw National Forest6,333
Hardesty MountainWillamette National Forest3,754
Hardesty MountainUmpqua National Forest2,597
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Mt. HagenWillamette National Forest6,406
Sky Lakes BWinema National Forest9,615
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (1)
AreaForestAcres
Thousand Lake MountainFishlake National Forest27,267
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Virginia (2)
AreaForestAcres
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
West Virginia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
References (25)
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