North American gray fox

The North American gray fox (Urocyon Cinereoargenteus) is a species of Urocyon fox native to North America as well as in Northern South America. Urocyon foxes and raccoon dogs are the only canines able to climb trees. The 4 foxes in the Urocyon genus are the North American gray, Island, Cozumel, and Progressive. In fact, the South American gray fox belongs in the genus of South American foxes commonly known as Lycalopex. The island fox is similar to the North American gray fox but smaller, even smaller than house cats. Its 16 subspecies are from New England, Southern California, Eastern USA, Costa Rica, Gulf states, Yucatan, Panama, Nicaragua, Northern Mexico, Southwest Mexico, Central great plains, Tehuantepec, Baja California, Western USA, Northern California and Oregon, and Colombia and Venezuela. Its prehistoric relative is the Progressive gray fox (Urocyon Progressus). Its strong, hooked claws allow it to scramble up trees to escape many predators such as domestic dogs and coyotes. They can climb trees just as good as domestic cats. This is a North American gray fox in New Mexico. The island fox is most likely descended from the mainland gray fox. Its contrast to all Vulpes and related arctic and fennec foxes, the gray fox has oval pupils. It clusters with 2 other ancient lineages such as the raccoon dog and bat eared fox. In California, they primarily prey on rodents. The Cozumel fox has currently not been described.