Gray Fox Reproduction, Denning, Range, and Weights in Alabama

Abstract

One has only to scan any general bibliography of mammal studies to observe that a large number of investigations have been conducted on the red and gray foxes. Particularly impressing was the large number of food habits investigations reported. It was noted that far more studies have been conducted on the red fox than on the gray, particularly from the standpoint of physical characteristics, breeding, and range of activity. For the Southeast, relatively few references were found on physical characteristics of the gray fox. Very little information is available on results of tagging or banding gray foxes. No reference could be located on spermatogenesis in the gray fox. This paper reports the findings of an investigation on breeding, denning, and range of activity of the gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus , in Alabama. The material is taken from a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for a Master of Science Degree in Game Management at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn. For field expenses and equipment for the study I am indebted to the Alabama Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit which is jointly supported by the Alabama Department of Conservation, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, and the Alabama Polytechnic Institute Agricultural Experiment Station. I am grateful to Dr. Arnold 0. Haugen, Leader of the Unit, who suggested the study, provided guidance, and assisted in preparation of this manuscript. The cooperation of Mr. T. J. Gleaton of the Alabama Department of Conservation, who provided many of the live foxes for examination is sincerely appreciated. Materials and methods .—A total of 117 gray foxes, 58 males and 59 females, were examined over a period of 15 months extending from October, 1952, to December, 1953. Data on weights and measurements of some of these foxes were excluded due to the condition of …