Urocyron cinereoargenteus, grey fox

This species of fox originated in the eastern deciduous forest where its preferred habitat remains today. However, suitable habitat has been found along riparian zones allowing the gray fox to extend its range into the mid-west. A food supply of squirrel resides in the same general habitat. With adequate food, space, shelter, limited competition, and suitable home range, the survivability of the gray fox in an extended range has been possible. The habitat is however narrow and is thus restricted to the riparian zone. Severity in regional weather patterns may have a detrimental impact on the species if buffer areas are not sufficiently wide to temper the extreme temperature fluctuations. A unique ability this fox has over all others is its ability to climb trees. The gray fox will climb trees to flee predation from coyotes and to seek out a vantage point from which to hunt and capture squirrels. They also seek an arboreal habitat for the protection the tree canopy offers. The gray fox is often found sleeping curled up close to the trunk on a broad limb of a cottonwood or oak tree.