The “Wikipedia” translation project has started again. This time, we are focusing on a precious animal from North America—the Swift Fox.
This entry has never appeared on the Chinese Wikipedia, but it exists on the English version, so I have translated it here. Since I only have two years of middle school biology experience, there will certainly be many improper translations. Please provide your feedback! Thank you!
It has been posted to Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swift_fox
Kingdom: Animalia — Phylum: Chordata — Class: Mammalia — Order: Carnivora — Family: Canidae
The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox, Canidae) is a small tan fox that lives in the western prairies of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. They also live in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta—where they were once extinct. The Swift Fox is closely related to the Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis). These two species are often considered to be subspecies of the same fox because hybridization frequently occurs in areas where they coexist.
The Swift Fox has black, light gray, or tan fur, with the neck, chest, and belly ranging from white to pale yellow. The tail is black-tipped, there are black spots on the snout, and the ears are noticeably large. They stand about 30 cm tall and are approximately 79 cm long (from the top of the head to the tip of the tail), roughly the size of a house cat, weighing between 5 to 7 pounds (1 pound equals 0.4536 kg). Male and female Swift Foxes are similar in appearance, though males are relatively larger.
Swift Foxes primarily live in the short-grass prairies and desert regions of North America.
Like many canids, the Swift Fox is an omnivore, feeding on grasses and fruits, as well as small mammals, carrion, and insects. The lifespan of a wild Swift Fox is generally 3 to 6 years, though they can live up to 14 years in captivity. They breed once a year; depending on the region, the breeding season varies, generally occurring from December to March of the following year. Pups are born between March and mid-May, and the mother can give birth to them anywhere. After 6 to 7 weeks, the pups begin weaning.
They are active only at night and stay in dens during the day. The Swift Fox is more dependent on dens than other North American canids because they use them to escape predators—these dens are usually 2 to 4 meters long. Swift Foxes run very fast, with speeds exceeding 31 miles per hour (50 km/h). The Coyote is their primary natural enemy; other predators include badgers, eagles, and bobcats.
Genetically, the Swift Fox is closely related to the Kit Fox, but they live in different geographical ranges. Historically, these two organisms have been regarded as the same species. The Kit Fox is slightly smaller than the Swift Fox and has a narrower, longer snout. However, the hybrids found in their overlapping habitats have led some mammalogists to classify them as two different subspecies of the same species, generally referred to collectively as “Vulpes velox.” Evidence from molecular genetics is not yet sufficient, but some of this information is being used to study the divergence between them.
The Swift Fox was once a seriously endangered species:
In 1938, this animal became extinct in Canada.
In 1983, it reappeared in Canada after a “reintroduction” program.
In May 1999, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Swift Fox as an endangered species.
In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added the Swift Fox to the endangered list.
However, to date, the Swift Fox remains one of the animals of “Least Concern” by the IUCN.
Wikipedia Original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpes_velox
External Link: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=140
When reposting, please include the address of this article: https://kexue.fm/archives/4
For more detailed information on reposting, please refer to: Scientific Space FAQ