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Glite Dictionary
Vulpes velox

Vulpes velox

9.9
A small grey fox from the plains of western North America often called the swift fox
  • noun
  • /ˈvʌl.pɪs ˈviː.lɒks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Vulpes velox
  • Habitat loss has led to a decline in Vulpes velox populations across the Great Plains.

Examples

  • The Vulpes velox is rarely seen during the day, as it is mostly nocturnal.

  • Biologists conducted a survey to monitor the health of Vulpes velox in the wild.

  • The Vulpes velox is known for its speed.

  • Have you ever seen a Vulpes velox in the wild?

  • Biologists conducted a survey to monitor the health of Vulpes velox in the wild.

  • Habitat loss has led to a decline in Vulpes velox populations across the Great Plains.

  • The Vulpes velox is rarely seen during the day, as it is mostly nocturnal.

Synonyms

prairie fox
vsVulpes velox
  • US
8.3

A small grey fox that lives in the open grasslands of western North America

is the formal scientific name rather than the everyday label

Surface Forms

Vulpes velox singular
Vulpes veloxes plural

Morphology

Vulpes + velox

This is a Latin binomial composed of genus + specific epithet (Vulpes = fox; velox = swift). If a learner knows the constituent meanings, the compound denotes 'swift fox' in a straightforward, compositional way (genus + descriptive adjective), so its meaning is immediately derivable.

Etymology

Vulpes velox comes from Latin words: Vulpes means 'fox' and velox means 'swift' or quick, so early scientists named this small, fast animal for its speed. That's why today Vulpes velox refers to the small, quick fox we call the swift fox.