Foxes in New Mexico: Types and Where They Live

It’s the Land of Enchantment, where the landscape is diverse, the history and culture are rich, and where wildlife roams. There are foxes in New Mexico but which types and where do they live? Let’s find out!

Foxes in New Mexico: Types and Where They Live

Foxes live throughout New Mexico in different habitats as they are adaptable to shrublands, prairies, grasslands, and forests. They even show up in urban areas! There are four types of foxes in the state. They include the swift fox, red fox, gray fox, and kit fox.

Swift Fox Overview

Scientific name: Vulpes velox

Swift foxes are not big by any means. They measure 12 to 31 inches long from their heads down to their tails and weigh about five to seven pounds. They have bushy tails and legs that are very short. Their fur is a combination of grayish, brown, and yellow. Their bellies are whitish, and they have dark eyes and large ears. They prefer large, open areas with short vegetation as it is easier for them to hunt, rest, and hide.

These creatures are agile and have excellent night vision. They outrun their prey in no time, which keeps them well-fed.  They like to hunt rabbits, rodents, and insects. In fact, they take just about any opportunity to feed themselves. They also consume vegetation, fruits, reptiles, and birds.

Their breeding times are from December to February. The gestation period is 60 days, and the female gives birth to three to six kits. They are born blind, and they depend 100% on their mother to eat but as they grow, they become more independent. They then learn to do their own hunting and venture out on their own.

Swift Fox Locations

These types of foxes are mostly found in the southeastern and eastern parts of the state. They are active and are nocturnal, but sometimes they venture out during the day as well. The counties they’re found in include Harding, Lea, Roosevelt, and Union.

Red Fox Overview

Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes

A red fox’s coat is orange, and brown-reddish with a white stain on the chest and throat. Their tails are bushy with white tips. They measure 22 to 25 inches long and weigh roughly between eight to 15 pounds. The red fox is highly intelligent and likes to eat small mammals including rabbits and rodents. They also eat birds, insects, fruits, and carrion.

Red Fox Locations

These types of foxes are found mostly in central and northern New Mexico. If you happen to see one, it would be best to admire them from a distance and allow them to flourish in their own natural habitat. The counties where red foxes live include McKinley and Roosevelt.

Gray Fox Overview

Scientific name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Gray foxes have grayish-brown fur but there’s also a bit of white in the mix. They measure 15 to 20 inches long and they weigh seven to 15 pounds. These foxes like forest environments where they have access to streams and rivers, though they sometimes enjoy desert habitats as well. Due to their elusive nature, they are not easy to spot in the wild. They eat plants, insects, birds, and several types of small mammals.

Gray Fox Locations

These types of foxes are found in the central region and southwestern parts of New Mexico. The counties gray foxes call home in the state include Catron, Colfax, Lea, Otero, San Juan, and Santa Fe. These types of foxes thrive outside of New Mexico as well, including southern regions of Canada, and in other states (except for Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming).

Kit Fox Overview

Scientific name: Vulpes macrotis

Kit foxes are the smallest fox species in North America. They only weigh about five pounds, and they use their large ears for body heat regulation. One look at these and you’ll think they are the cutest! But just because they’re adorable doesn’t mean they can be pets. It’s illegal to own one. They are wild, outdoor animals and they do just fine on their own. Like other foxes, they eat small mammals, including rodents as well as fruits on occasion and carrion when the opportunity presents itself.

Kit Fox Locations

These types of tiny foxes inhabit both desert shrub and desert grassland environments. They grace several counties throughout the state, including Chaves, DeBaca, Eddy, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, San Juan, Socorro, and Torrance.