Characteristics of natal and non-natal kit fox dens in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

We studied kit fox den characteristics on the northern McGregor Range of Fo rt Bliss Military Reservation, New Mexico, during 1994 and 1995. Twenty rad io-collared kit foxes used 132 different dens, including 16 natal dens. Kit fos dens were located primarily in creosote-dominated habitat found in rel atively flat, well-drained terrain. Natal dens were virtually indistinguish able from non-natal dens; however, natal den entrances were taller than non -natal den entrances. Entrances found at all dens were oriented more freque ntly toward the northwest and southeast. Kit foxes used more new dens durin g the breeding (January-February) and pup-rearing season (May-July) than du ring gestation.