Dens and den sites of the swift fox, Vulpes velox

In agricultural areas of the Great Plains, the swift fox (Vulpes velox) inhabits native rangeland and both cultivated and fallow cropland. It is nor known if differences in these habitats affect denning of this burrow-dependent species. We compared dens and den sites of the swift fox in cropland and rangeland. Features of dens studied included size, number, direction and shape of openings, distance between openings, and dimensions of tailings. Features of den sites studied included slope, surface roughness, surface ruggedness, surrounding vegetation, and soil. Finally, we compared surface roughness, surface ruggedness, and vegetation surrounding den sites in rangeland and cropland with those features of randomly selected sites in rangeland and cropland. Dens and den sites were nearly identical in most respects in these habitats. The lack of appreciable differences adds credence to the assertion that the swift fox is capable of exploiting resources available in a patchwork environment of natural and cultivated habitats.