The California island fox is a small fox that is endemic to 6 of the 8 Channel Islands of California. There are 6 subspecies, each unique to the island it lives on. Island foxes are the smallest known species of fox in the U.S. and the 2nd smallest species of fox, after the diminutive fennec fox. These little critters are also known as the coast fox, the short-tailed fox, the island grey fox, and more.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Urocyon littoralis catalinae
Weight: Up to 4.2 lbs.
Length: Up to 19 inches, plus up to an 11 inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 10 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Their prey of choice are small rats, deer mice, reptiles, insects, birds, eggs, and fruit.
2.) Golden eagles are their main predators.
3.) They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
4.) Island foxes are typically diurnal (active during the day).
5.) These cute foxes are the only canids endemic (native) to California.
But wait, there’s more on the California island fox!
6.) The California island fox communicates via vocalizations, scent marking, and body language.
7.) The foxes give birth to 1 – 5 kits in a den.
Did you know…?
Like other animals that rely on the earth’s magnetic field for navigation, foxes use the earth’s magnetic field to hunt live prey!
8.) They are weened by 10 months and, at that time, they are on their own.
9.) Morphological analysis indicates an absence of inbreeding depression (reduced biological fitness).
10.) The island fox, while not intimidated by humans, may, at first, show some aggression such as baring teeth and growling. But they are quite easy to tame and are generally docile creatures.
But wait, there’s still more on the California island fox!
11.) They communicate via auditory, olfactory, and visual signals.
12.) A dominant fox will utilize ear flattening, vocalizations, and staring to get the other fox to submit.
Did you know…?
Rene Vellanoweth, an archaeologist, has suggested that inbreeding depression can be thwarted by mixing the different island fox subspecies populations like the indigenous peoples did, by moving them from island to island, thus creating a higher genetic diversity and aiding them in recovery.
13.) In March 2004, 4 subspecies of the island fox were classified as a federally protected Endangered species including: the Santa Cruz island fox, San Miguel Island fox, Santa Rosa Island fox, and the Santa Catalina Island fox.
14.) As of 2021, there were an estimated 1,807 Santa Catalina Island foxes remaining.
15.) Due to the fact that the Channel Islands are nearly entirely owned and controlled by either the Catalina Island Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, or the federal government, these foxes have a chance to get the protection they need, including constant supervision by officials without the ongoing threat of human encroachment on their habitat.
Now a Short California Island Fox Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: earth.com
