These are the smallest of the American foxes, and are not much larger than a domestic cat.

Subspecies
Two subspecies.

Life span
Kit foxes can live for up to 12 years in captivity.

Statistics
Body length: 40-50cm, Tail length: 25-30cm, Standing height: 25-30cm, Weight: 2-3kg.

Physical description
Kit foxes are a reddish-yellow to a light sandy colour.

Distribution
They inhabit Canada and the USA.

Habitat
Kit foxes prefer open sandy prairies and semi-arid regions. The size of their territory varies widely.

Diet
They feed on small mammals, insects and berries.

Behaviour
Kit foxes live in social units of a mated pair and their young, but occasionally a male will live with two adult females. They are primarily nocturnal, although they are occasionally seen in daylight. They rarely travel more than 3km from their dens.

Reproduction
Females have a gestation period of 50 days, after which they give birth to 4-7 cubs, which weigh 50-100g.

Conservation status
They are threatened due to hunting and destruction of their habitat. They have been eradicated in certain areas. Kit foxes are not listed on the 2000 IUCN Red List.

Closest relative
The swift fox (Vulpes velox) was recently recognised as a separate species from the kit fox. It has a more easterly distribution in North America.