Gray Fox
Description - Gray in color with reddish areas under the throat, on the
sides of the neck and on the legs. The amount of red varies, often causing
this fox to be mistaken for a red fox. Gray foxes can be identified by their
bushy black-tipped tail, while the red fox is identified by a white tail tip.
Population - Numbers on Kiawah are cyclical, dropping drastically after
outbreaks of canine distember and slowly rebounding before the next
outbreak occurs.
Food Habits - They are omnivorous with a diet consisting of mostly
rabbits, rodents, insects, fruits, berries and acorns.
Notes - Breed in late winter, with 2-4 pups born in the spring. Dens are
made in hollow stumps or logs and both the male and femal assist in
rearing the young. The fox is the only member of the dog family that is
capable of climbing trees.
Mink
Photograph courtesy of Pamela Cohen
Description - Long slender body, dark brown fur, short legs and partially
webbed feet.
Population - Rarely seen, Mink are most active at night and prefer creek,
river and marsh areas.
Food Habits - They are carnivorous with a diet consisting of crabs,
snakes fish, birds, clams, rats and mice.
Notes - Breed from January-March with three to six young born between
April-June. Young are weaned after two months and typically disperse
in the fall to find their own territories. They are very good swimmers.
Although rare, mink sightings have occured on Kiawah. Most sightings
have occurred along saltwater creeks or river banks.
Raccoons
Population - Gray or brown with black
facial mask and ringed tail.
Population - Common throughout Kiawah.
Food Habits - Omnivorous with a diet
consisting of acorns, blackberries, grapes,
insects, crayfish, lizards and eggs. Will
scavenge in garbage cans.
Notes - Breed from February-June with
young (kits) born 63 days later. Dens are
typically located in a hollow tree or cavity
above ground. Kits are blind until three weeks
of age and travel witht he female beginning at
two months, leaving to find their own territory
in the fall.
Photograph courtesy of Tom Boswell
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