GRAY FOX AND ISLAND FOX
RECOGNITION This small group represents the most basal clade within the extant Canidae, not closely related to any of the other Canid groups. It is represented by the monotypic North American genera Urocyon, which includes only two species: the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and the Island Fox (U. littoralis). Gray Fox-like Canids are small to medium-sized Canids, with relatively short and stout legs, a long tail, and a narrow muzzle, and display little color variation among individuals. Their coat is short and coarse, with a distinctive grizzled gray color, with small highlights of reddish brown on the neck, sides and legs, and some white on the ears, throat, chest, belly and hind legs. Black-tipped hairs near the center of the back form a conspicuous dark stripe that extends into a black mane of coarse hair on top of the black-tipped tail. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males being slightly larger than females. The skull of these species can be easily distinguished by its widely separated temporal ridges that form a U shape. They exhibit the typical Canid dental formula, I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3 = 42. The Island Fox is considered a dwarf island form of the Gray Fox. Whether the two taxa are separate species or merely subspecies of one broadly distributed and geographically variable species is open to interpretation. The karyotype of all Gray Fox-like Canids is 2n=66.
PHYLOGENY Gray Fox-like Canids diverged from other Canids during the Miocene (ca. 8-12 Ma). They evolved in North America and have been present since the end of the Hemphillian age (ca. 5 Ma) at the start of the Pliocene. Urocyon progressus, presumed to be an ancestral form of U. cinereoargenteus, is the earliest known member of the genus and lived throughout the Blancan age (ca. 5 to 2 Ma). Paleontological evidence of U. cinereoargenteus begins in the early Irvingtonian age (ca. 2 Ma) with fossils found in Arkansas, Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gray Foxes did not inhabit the northeastern states from the time of the last glacial maximum until as late as 900, during the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Gray Foxes probably initially reached one of the northern Channel Islands through chance by rafting or human introduction, 9,200 to 7,100 years ago, followed quickly by human translocation of Foxes from the northern to the largest southern Channel Islands. During a period of extended isolation they evolved their present small body size.
BEHAVIOR Gray Fox-like Canids are solitary hunters and opportunistic feeders, and their omnivorous diets shift seasonally and geographically with the relative abundance of foods. Social organization includes family units comprised of an adult male and female and occasionally offspring, which maintain territories separate from other family units. They are monogamous and breed only once a year. Both parents take care of their offspring. Gray Foxes are essentially nocturnal, while Island Foxes are active during daylight hours with peaks in activity occurring at dusk and dawn, probably due to the lack of natural predators. Gray Fox-like Canids have semi-retractile claws and are able to climb trees, an ability shared only with the Asian Raccoon Dog among Canids. They usually den in crevices in the rocks, in underground burrows, under rocks, in hollow logs or in hollow trees.
DISTRIBUTION The Gray Fox ranges over most of the United States, parts of southern Canada, and most of Mexico and Central America. Its distribution across a broad geographical area, coupled with the existence of barriers to gene flow, has resulted in Urocyon exhibiting considerable geographic variation. The Island Fox occurs only on the six largest of the eight islands off the coast of southern California, with each island presently supporting its own subspecies. Gray Fox is essentially an inhabitant of wooded areas, particularly mixed hardwood forests, while Island Fox can be found in all of the island biomes, including grassland, chaparral, temperate forest and temperate grassland.
CONSERVATION Gray Foxes are abundant throughout most areas in the lower two-thirds of North America. They have no special conservation status at this time. Although they are trapped and hunted by humans, there does not appear to be any immediate threat. Four of the six Island Fox subspecies have catastrophically declined by as much as 95% since 1994, after which they were listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act. They have since recovered to or are approaching recovery to predecline population levels, and the species is being currently assessed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS CINEREOARGENTEUS
BL: 56-66 cm (♂), 52.5-58 cm (♀). TL: 30.5-38.1 cm. H: 30.5-40.6 cm. W: 2-5.8 kg. SL: 11 cm. SW: 6.9 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small to medium-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A medium to large-sized, dark subspecies. Coat color is grizzled gray above, tawny orange laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Underfur light tan, and some hairs with long orangish tips. Black around the eyes, encircling the muzzle. Lips and nose pad are black. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, roughly triangular, not round in cross section, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface, a black tip, and reddish underside. Top of feet reddish brown. There is a single molt with prime fur attained in winter. Females are slightly smaller than males, with 3 pairs of mammae. Newborns are dark brown.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Östlicher Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorra gris, zorro plateado de Nueva Inglaterra. Russian: Восточная серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Eleven subspecies are traditionally recognized in North America (Hall, 1981): U. c. cinereoargenteus, U. c. borealis, U. c. californicus, U. c. floridanus, U. c. madrensis, U. c. nigrirostris, U. c. ocythous, U. c. orinomus, U. c. peninsularis, U. c. scottii and U. c. townsendi. Five additional subspecies occur in Central and South America (Cypher, 2003): U. c. costaricensis, U. c. fraterculus, U. c. furvus, U. c. guatemalae, U. c. venezuelae. A rigorous review of morphometric or genetic differences has not been conducted on Gray Fox, and most subspecies are probably not valid. They are assigned here on the basis of geographic distribution. Except for Foxes on the Yucatan Peninsula, there is a fairly high degree of phenetic overlap among subspecies of Gray Fox, although recent research suggests that there is a strong genetic divergence between SW and SE populations.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-59 days. Young per birth: 2-6, one litter per year. Weaning: 45-70 days. Sexual maturity: 10 months. Life span: 6 years, 15 years in captivity. Breeding season: From late January to early March. ♂ probably mate with only 1 ♀ each year and may mate with the same ♀ in consecutive years. Births occur from April to the end of May, in dens in hollow logs or trees, sometimes as high as 15 m up, or underground in converted woodchuck burrows. Pups open their eyes in 10-12 days, are usually on their own by 4 months of age, and reach adult size at less than 7 months of age. They disperse as far as 80 km from the den.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Through late summer, they live in family units consisting of the paired adults and their young; in autumn they disperse. Diet: Small mammals (mice, rats and rabbits), but also feed on birds and insects occasionally. Native fruits such as persimmons and grapes as well as agricultural crops such as corn and peanuts are eaten more often than by other Fox species. Main predators: Coyote, bobcat. Typically nocturnal although they may forage during daylight hours. Good tree climbers; they grasp the trunk with their forelegs and push with their hind legs. They may climb a tree for refuge during the night and may still be in the tree at daylight. Home range size varies from 0.3 to over 24 km2; the most important factors determining the size of home ranges are habitat quality, population density and the reproductive status of individual Foxes. Areas with many different habitat types and dense populations of prey species support higher densities with smaller home ranges since Foxes are somewhat territorial.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Canada, United States. Found in E United States: North Carolina, N South Carolina, N Georgia, N Alabama, N Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, E Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, S Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut; and in S Ontario in Canada.
HABITAT A wide variety of forest types; they prefer woodlands and woodland-brush ecotones over open habitat. They commonly occur in E deciduous forests, but are also found in mixed and coniferous forests of the NE states.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. Regional status: Threatened (Canada), furbearer species (USA). CITES: Not listed.
PHOTO CREDITS Virginia State Parks, JanVa, VA (USA); Rob Goldberg Jr., Greenville, NC (USA); Kevin Council, NC (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS BOREALIS
BL: 57.2-68.7 cm (♂), 52.5-58 cm (♀). TL: 21.5-43 cm. H: 30-40 cm. W: 3.1-6.3 kg (♂), 3.9 kg (♀). SL: 11.8 cm. SW: 7.3 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small to medium-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A large-sized subspecies. Coat color is grizzled gray above, tawny orange laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Dorsal underfur is rather buffy, and guard hairs are buffy basally, but blackish outward, becoming white distally, sometimes with black tips. There is black around the eyes, usually encircling the muzzle. Lips and nose pad are black. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, roughly triangular, not round in cross section, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip. There is a single molt with prime fur attained in winter.
OTHER NAMES New England Gray Fox, Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Nördlicher Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorra gris, zorro plateado de Nueva Inglaterra. Russian: Северовосточная серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). This population is hypothesized to result from the post-glacial expansion of the SE population. Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53 days. Young per birth: 3-7. Weaning: 42-84 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: 6-8 years, 12 years in captivity. Breeding season: From January through March (2-4 weeks later than the Red Fox). They usually do not use an underground den but instead use dens in dense brush, cavities in stumps and trees, rock crevices or under outbuildings such as barns and sheds. They have more than one den and will readily move their young if disturbed. Young stay in the den until about 4-5 weeks of age. Both adults care for the young by bringing food and guarding the den site. In the fall, the young disperse from the family unit and will usually breed the first spring after they are born.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Solitary; mated pairs during the breeding season. Diet: Their favored prey is the cottontail rabbit and it is believed they have expanded into the New England area by following this prey source. They eat other small animals such as mice, voles, squirrels, birds, frogs, crayfish and insects, but may also eat corn, nuts, berries and fruit in the warm months. They may eat small pets such as cats and small dogs if the opportunity arises. Main predators: Feral Dog, Coyote, large raptors. Behavior similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. They are not observed as frequently as Red Foxes due to their reclusive nature and more nocturnal habits. Active from the late evening hours until dawn. They climb trees to pursue prey, forage for other foods, and take refuge from danger; they descend the tree trunk backwards. Home ranges in Connecticut average 5 to 10 km2, but may vary depending on the abundance of food. Interactions with Coyotes have not been studied, and it is unknown if Coyotes are as intolerant of Gray Fox as they are of Red Fox. Gray Fox has a voice similar to the Red Fox, but barks or yaps less often and its voice is louder.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Canada, United States. Found in SE Canada: SW Quebec (Sherbrooke) and SE Ontario (Windsor); and in NE United States, in New England: SW Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, NW Massachusetts, NW Connecticut, N Pennsylvania and N Ohio.
HABITAT Dense hardwood or mixed hardwood and softwood forests. Habitat is commonly located along the banks of streams and rivers. It also prefers overgrown fields for foraging.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Threatened (Canada), furbearer species (USA). Canine distemper appears to be the leading mortality factor, in terms of diseases. Gray Foxes exhibit a natural resistance to sarcoptic mange. The most important limiting factor is hunting and trapping by humans. In Canada, climate, especially harsh winters, may be a limiting factor. Deforestation, which is occurring in the regions this species occupies, reduces the availability of dense cover and the variety of habitats that the species requires, and therefore may have a negative impact on the population. Neither predation nor competition with Red Foxes and Coyotes is thought to have a significant influence on population levels.
PHOTO CREDITS Bill Amidon, East Alstead, NH (USA); Sally A. Leavitt (USA); Phil Brown, Wenham, MA (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS FLORIDANUS
BL: 53-76 cm (♂), 54-57.8 cm (♀). TL: 26-41 cm. H: 30-38 cm. W: 3.2-6 kg. SL: 10.3 cm. SW: 6.5 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. Smaller than northern subspecies, with a relatively shorter tail and ears, and harsher pelage, with a paler fulvous color on breast and belly with less white. It usually lacks the white stripe on the inside of the legs, and the rusty throat patch is longer than in northern subspecies. Coat color is grizzled silver gray above, rusty brown laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Breast, belly, inner surfaces of legs are pale rusty fulvous. There is black around the eyes, usually encircling the muzzle. Lips and nose pad are black. Tail is long, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Florida-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorra gris de Florida, zorro plateado de Florida. Russian: Флоридская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 3-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: Unknown. Breeding season: From late January to March, with most births in April. Dens are located in hollow logs, ground burrows, beneath boulders, and even under buildings in some secluded areas or where the Foxes have become acclimated to people. Dens frequently are lined with shredded bark or leaves.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Pair bonds that last year-round. Diet: Small animals (rabbits, rodents, birds), fruit and insects, but they will also eat out of garbage cans and scavenge road-killed animals. Due to its climbing expertise, arboreal creatures such as squirrels are more important to its diet than to those of other Canids. Main predators: Dog, bobcat, owl, hawk, Coyote. Behavior similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. Nocturnal and crepuscular, resting in dense cover during the daytime and foraging in open areas at night. They usually hunt alone. They are the only member of the Canid family that regularly climbs trees. It climbs in a scrambling motion, grasping the tree trunk with its forepaws and forcing itself higher with the long claws on its hind feet. Besides being able to leap from branch to branch in pursuit of prey, it also uses its perch to ambush victims from above. On the ground it can reach speeds of up to 17 kmph for short distances. Home ranges in this area are larger than in other areas, probably related to low biomass of available small mammal prey. Marginal overlap of home ranges of same sex adult Foxes with adjacent home range boundaries provides evidence for territoriality. Extensive overlap is observed between juveniles and adults of opposite sex. Florida home ranges average 7.7 km2. It has a yapping bark.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Found along the Gulf of Mexico: S South Carolina, Florida, S Georgia, S Alabama, S Mississippi, Louisiana and E Texas. In Florida, it occurs statewide except for the Keys. In North Carolina, they inhabit all areas of the state from the Outer Banks to the Appalachian Mountains; although viable populations are found in all of North Carolina’s major habitat types, they are most numerous in the Piedmont and N Coastal Plain. In Texas it occurs E of the Balcones Fault zone (scottii in the W two-thirds of the state).
HABITAT Typically associated with dense woodlands and brushy areas, except in the extreme SE United States where they are more abundant in mixed woods and cultivated areas, probably due to the absence of Red Foxes, and hence competition. They are often present in large tracts of wooded areas and also thrive in open farmland. It has adapted well to urban environments, and it can be found in almost any developed area that affords some degree of vegetation cover.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Furbearer species (USA). Although common, it often is inconspicuous due to its secretive habits. Its coarse, thin coat does not have much commercial value.
PHOTO CREDITS Dave, Smith Juan, FL (USA); R. M. Buquoi Photographics, Georgetown, TX (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS OCYTHOUS
BL: 62 cm (♂), 54-57.8 cm (♀). TL: 38 cm. H: 30-40 cm. W: 4.1-5 kg (♂), 2-3.9 kg (♀). SL: 12.6 cm. SW: 7.1 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small to medium-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A large-sized subspecies. Coat color is grizzled gray above, tawny orange laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Dorsal underfur is rather buffy, and guard hairs are buffy basally, but blackish outward, becoming white distally, sometimes with black tips. There is black around the eyes, usually encircling the muzzle. Lips and nose pad are black. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, roughly triangular, not round in cross section, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip. Females are slightly smaller than males, with 3 pairs of mammae. Newborns are dark brown.
OTHER NAMES Swift Gray Fox, Wisconsin Gray Fox, Maned Fox, Wood Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Prärie-Graufuchs, Central-Plains-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorra gris, zorro plateado. Russian: Cерая лисица центральной равнины.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53 days. Young per birth: 1-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: 6 years. Breeding season: From late January through February in S Illinois and from late January through March in Wisconsin. Breeding season may be heralded by fierce battles among ♂. Pups are brownish black and fully furred, but blind for the first 9 days. They stay with their parents until late summer or fall. The ♂ stays with his mate and helps care for the young. Dens are usually located in wooded areas and include underground burrows, cavities in trees or logs, woodpiles, and rock outcrops or cavities under rocks. They will use dens year-round, but predominantly when young are born.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs during the breeding season. Diet: Opportunistic carnivore, with mammals composing most of its diet in the Midwest; although rabbits have been found to be one of their primary food sources, they routinely feed on small rodents and other mammals, birds and reptiles. In the summer, invertebrates have been found to be more important food items, while in the fall, it consumes more fruit and sometimes corn. Main predators: Coyote, bobcat. Behavior similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. More active at night, with activity at sunrise sharply decreasing and increasing again at sunset. They are capable of climbing a tree trunk using their claws to grasp and pull themselves up or bounding from branch to branch; this behavior is used during foraging, predator avoidance, or resting. They move at a rapid trot, eyes, ears and nose alert for signs of prey. Pairs share a territory and reside close to each other during the breeding season. After this, they live disjointedly and hunt separately. In late winter and also in early spring, they will begin to live nearer and get ready for mating season. Home range size varies depending on the season and geographic location, from 0.13 to 3.1 km2.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Canada, United States. Found in the Central Plains states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, E North Dakota, E and S South Dakota, W Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, E Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, E Oklahoma, N Louisiana; and in SW Ontario and extreme S Manitoba in Canada.
HABITAT Woody cover in deciduous or pine forest, but they also use edge habitat and open habitats that are transitioning from field to forest and are dominated by forbs, grass, and shrubs and small trees. They tend to select against agricultural areas. They use oakhickory forests almost exclusively in S Missouri, and are frequently found in dense stands of young trees during the day.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Threatened (Canada), Under Review (USA). Loss of preferred habitat and the increase in agricultural habitat may have caused a decline in population of this subspecies. Its fur became popular during the late 1970s for fur coats and collars and demand for its fur continues to some extent today.
PHOTO CREDITS Geoffrey Kuchera and Sparky Stensaas (ThePhotoNaturalist.com), MI (USA); ImageBroker, MT (USA); Paul Boatman, Garfield, AR (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS SCOTTII
BL: 58.5-64.2 cm (♂), 54-57.8 cm (♀). TL: 33-47 cm. H: 35.5-38.1 cm. W: 3-5 kg. SW: 6.4 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A medium-sized, paler subspecies, purer gray, and more yellowish fulvous, with the muzzle more attenuated, and with longer ears and tail. Coat color is gray above, reddish brown laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Abdomen is ochraceous. There is black around the eyes, usually encircling the muzzle. Lips and nose pad are black. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, roughly triangular, not round in cross section, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip. There is a single molt with prime fur attained in winter. Females are slightly smaller than males, with 3 pairs of mammae. Newborns are dark brown.
OTHER NAMES Scott’s Gray Fox, Southern Gray Fox, Desert Gray Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Arizona-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorra gris de Arizona, zorro plateado de Arizona. Russian: Аризонская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Includes inyoensis (Inyo Mountains Gray Fox) and texensis (Texas Gray Fox). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
SIMILAR SPECIES Red Fox is slightly larger, with longer legs, much lighter in color, has black feet and white tail, and its tracks show proportionally smaller toe pads and larger overall foot size.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 51-53 days. Young per birth: 2-7. Weaning: 42-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: 6 years, 12 years in captivity. Breeding season: February or March, with most births in April or May. Dens in hollow trees, into soil or in enlarged burrows of another animal. This den may be as much as 23 m long and can have 10 or more exits, and it has numerous side chambers used for food storage and for the transfer of young, once a chamber becomes too soiled to inhabit. The young venture out of the den after about 5 weeks. The ♂ provides food during this period. The family remains together until late fall, then separates. All generally remain solitary throughout the winter.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs. Diet: Primarily small mammals, but will also eat eggs, insects, birds, fruits, acorns and berries. Main predators: Dog, cougar, eagle, owl, bobcat, hawk, Coyote (Gray Foxes killed by Coyotes are not consumed, suggesting that interference competition is the primary motivating factor). Behavior similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. Although primarily nocturnal, it may sometimes be seen foraging during the day. Although they have a keen sense of smell, they seldom track prey species; the preferred method of hunting is to wander until a victim is heard or smelled; they will often stalk and pounce upon the prey. They can climb trees. Territorial, marking their boundaries with urine, feces, and with scent from glands on either side of the anus; the scent gland products are quite pungent, and the odor may seem reminiscent of skunk. Home range in Utah averages 1 km2.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Mexico, United States. Found in the United States: in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, S half of Nevada, extreme SW Kansas, W and central Texas, California E of the Sierra Nevada; and in Mexico: in Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, N Chihuahua, N Zacatecas, NE Durango, N Sonora, NE Baja California, and probably N San Luis Potosí and N Veracruz.
HABITAT Generally occupies more open habitats, from low desert or lower well up into brushy and sparsely wooded, rocky slopes and canyons up to and above 2,700 m in elevation. Plant communities most often occupied include desert scrub, desert grassland, chaparral, and oak and pine woodland. It may also be seen in urban settings with ample cover.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Not protected (Mexico), furbearer species (USA). It is common, and no population declines have been noted, other than short-term, local die-offs associated with disease outbreaks. The New Mexico population may have declined from over-trapping.
PHOTO CREDITS Karen McCrorey, GaryS42 and Glenn Seplak, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, AZ (USA); Robert Palmer, Las Vegas, NV (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS TOWNSENDI
BL: 54.6-66 cm (♂), 50.8-59.6 cm (♀). TL: 33.8-38 cm. H: 35.5-38.1 cm. W: 3.5-5.4 kg (♂), 3.4-5.4 kg (♀). SL: 11.6 cm. SW: 6.5 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A large-sized subspecies. Coat color is grizzled gray, with a mid-dorsal black band extending onto the tail. Guard hairs are banded white, gray and black, producing the grizzled appearance. Throat, abdomen and inside of the legs are white. A cinnamon-rufous border to the white throat extends onto the flanks and underside of tail. Black patch on the sides of the face extending onto the lower jaw. Ears are cinnamon on the exterior and lined with long whitish hairs extending from the interior margins. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, black tipped. Feet are grayish white. Females are slightly smaller than males, with 3 pairs of mammae. Newborns are gray to black.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Pazifikküsten-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorra gris de Townsend, zorro plateado. Russian: Cерая лисица Таунсенда.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 2-5. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 10-12 months. Life span: 5-7 years. Breeding season: February to March. Births occur in April and May. First-year mortality is in excess of 50%, and fewer than 5% exceed 4 years of age. Ground dens frequently are the modified dens of other species; hollow logs, abandoned buildings, refuse piles and rocky outcrops are used as den sites. Natal dens are commonly concealed by thick, brushy vegetation. They move to other dens about every 15-20 days especially when the pups are under two and a half months of age, possibly to keep predators off guard. Pups are gray to black, blind and deaf; within 10-12 days they attain both hearing and sight. Pups accompany adults on foraging expeditions at 2 months and forage independently at 4 months. Both ♀ and ♂ appear to be responsible for provisioning pups. Juveniles reach adult size and weight at about 210 days, and disperse at 9-10 months of age. ♂ disperse approximately 16 km from natal den home ranges and ♀ 11 km, although long-distance dispersal (over 80 km) has been reported.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs and their offspring of the year; monogamous, with occasional polygyny. Diet: Lagomorphs, rodents, fruits, insects, other invertebrates and small birds, including domestic chicken. Main predators: Dog, cougar, eagle, owl, bobcat, hawk, Coyote. Behavior similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. A secretive animal. Most activity is nocturnal and crepuscular, although they may be seen abroad during daylight hours. It climbs trees to escape pursuit, to forage, and to rest. It simply runs up sloping trunks or jumps from branch to branch. It runs down sloping trunks head first, but backs down vertical trunks. Ranges of adjacent family groups may overlap, but core areas appear to be used exclusively by a single family. They scent mark by depositing urine and feces in conspicuous locations. Home range size averages 1.13 km2 in Oregon, and 1.02 km2 in California, being similar to those of other subspecies. Home ranges of ♀ during littering and nursing season may be reduced to 20% of home ranges during prereproductive seasons. They communicate vocally via growls, alarm barks, screams, and “coos” and “mewing” sounds during greetings. Gray Foxes engage in allogrooming, with adults grooming juveniles and each other.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Found in W Oregon, N two-thirds of California.
HABITAT Brushy vegetation in broken terrain. Plowed fields and other bare areas are avoided, but if available within home ranges, riparian areas, old-field habitats, and human-used areas may be used more frequently than expected. Gray Fox abundance is inversely related to Coyote abundance.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Furbearer species (USA).
PHOTO CREDITS Tom Ingram, v_ac_md, Coyote Hills Regional Park, CA (USA); Rainer Lutz Bauer, Coyote Creek Trail, CA (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS CALIFORNICUS
BL: 54.9-69 cm. TL: 33-44 cm. H: 38 cm. W: 3.2-4.5 kg. SL: 11 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A medium-sized subspecies, with a bushy tail and relatively large ears. Coat color is iron gray above, rusty red laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Black stripe down middle of back and along tail to tip. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Underfur light tan, and some hairs with long orangish tips. There is black around the eyes, usually encircling the muzzle. Lips are black. Nose pad is black. Eyes are dark with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long, roughly triangular, not round in cross section, with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface, a black tip and reddish underside. Top of feet reddish brown. Females are slightly smaller than males, with 3 pairs of mammae. Newborns are gray to black.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox, Coastal Gray Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Südkalifornien-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorra gris de California, zorro plateado de California. Russian: Калифорнийская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Includes sequoiensis (Redwood Gray Fox). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
SIMILAR SPECIES Red Fox is slightly larger, with a leaner body with longer legs, slit-shaped eyes, lighter in color, has black feet and white tail, and its tracks show proportionally smaller toe pads and larger overall foot size. Swift and Kit Foxes have black on tail only at tip. Coyote is larger and more yellowish gray.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 2-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: 5 years, 10 years in captivity. Breeding season: February to March, with most births in April. Dens are located in natural cavities, in rocky areas, snags, logs, brush, slash and debris piles, abandoned burrows and under buildings. Nest material usually dry grass, leaves or shredded bark. ♂ helps rear the young from birth to dispersal, at 9 months of age. Pups are gray to black, blind and deaf; within 10-12 days they attain both hearing and sight.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs during the breeding season, remaining in their home range after the young have dispersed; monogamous. Diet: Rabbits, mice, gophers, woodrats and squirrels; may also eat large amounts of fruits, nuts, grains, grasshoppers and crickets, beetles, moths and butterflies, carrion and small amounts of herbage. In deserts such as the Sonoran, they can get their needed water from plants, and other liquids from their prey, but they require a permanent water source near the den. Main predators: Coyote, bobcat, cougar, golden eagle. May carry canine distemper, toxoplasmosis, tularemia and rabies. Primarily crepuscular with the bulk of their hunting at night, occasionally active in daytime. They climb into trees that have no branches far up the trunk, and they can climb straight up. Family groups remain together until dispersal. They hunt alone. Home ranges average 1.2 km2 in California. They usually travel at a rapid trot, a gait that carries them over the ground with considerable speed. May reach a speed of 69 kmph for short distances. Most common vocalizations include a rasping, hoarse bark, and a whistle.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Mexico, United States. Found in S California, W of Mojave Desert, N near coast at least to Ventura County, and in foothills of S Sierra Nevada, to Tulare County, San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County; and in Mexico, in N Baja California, S at least to Vizcaino Desert District.
HABITAT Frequents most shrublands, valley foothill riparian, montane riparian, and brush stages of many deciduous and conifer forest and woodland habitats. Coyotes and bobcats may limit Gray Foxes to thicker chaparral cover. They do not use developed suburban areas.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Furbearer species (USA), not protected (Mexico). Trapped for utilitarian and economic reasons, including the perceived elimination of livestock depredation, and for recreation. Recent changes in social attitudes toward trapping have resulted in lower participation in the activity and its outright ban in some states, including California.
PHOTO CREDITS Martin Smart, Joshua Tree National Park, CA (USA); Steven Metidi, San Gabriel Mountains, CA (USA); Johnny Bovee, Mojave National Preserve, CA (USA).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS NIGRIROSTRIS AND RELATED SSP.
BL: 52.5-53.7 cm (♂), 51.3-53.5 cm (♀). TL: 34.9-43 cm. H: 30-35 cm. W: 3-5 kg. SL: 11.3 cm. SW: 6.2 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. Smaller than northern subspecies. Coat grizzled gray in color, with a well-defined mid-dorsal black band extending onto the tail. On the sides it is ochraceous, the abdomen is cream, and exhibits a white line throughout the hind leg. Top of head more finely grizzled gray. Cheeks, sides of muzzle, throat, inner legs and median line to base of tail are buffy white. Black patch on the sides of the face extending onto the lower jaw. Distal half of ears duller than base, inner surface buffy white. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long and bushy, gray, with a black dorsal stripe and tip and ill-defined ventral buffy area.
Urocyon cinereoargenteus madrensis
Urocyon cinereoargenteus orinomus
Urocyon cinereoargenteus peninsularis
OTHER NAMES Colima Gray Fox, Madras Gray Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Mexiko-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorro gris de México, zorro plateado de México. Russian: Мексиканская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). These four subspecies are assigned on the basis of geographic distribution, and they are morphologically very similar. U. c. madrensis differs from nigrirostris in having less harsh pelage and generally brighter, richer color, with a darker, more distinct dorsal stripe. Other subspecies found in Mexico include: U. c. guatemalae (Guatemalan Gray Fox), U. c. fraterculus (Yucatan Gray Fox) and U. c. scottii (Arizona Gray Fox), which are described in separate accounts. U. c. colimensis is considered a synonym of nigrirostris.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 45-53 days. Young per birth: 2-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 12 months (♀). Life span: Probably 5 years. Breeding season: From late February to early March. Monogamous. The ♀ is responsible for rearing the young, while the ♂ probably does not participate in this activity. Their favorite sites for construction of their shelters are hollow logs, roots of fallen trees, rocks or exposed soil and occasionally the base of living trees. The young leave the refuge in autumn, when they are 10-13 weeks old, and they become completely independent in the early winter, dispersing 20 to 80 km from the natal den. Young ♀ tend to stay in their place of origin.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Solitary, mated pairs during the breeding season. Diet: Opportunistic, in relation to abundance, including rodents, lagomorphs, fruits and insects. There is little information about its life history and behavioral ecology in this area, but it probably does not differ significantly from those reported by other studies elsewhere in North American temperate forests. Average home range size in Durango is 1.35 km2.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Mexico. Colima Gray Fox (U. c. nigrirostris) is found in SW Mexico: Sinaloa, S Durango, S Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato, S Queretaro, Colima, Mexico, Morelos, Guerrero, S Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, S Puebla and W Oaxaca, ranges from sea level along Pacific coast to at least 2,500 m, on mountains bordering Valley of Mexico. Madras Gray Fox (U. c. madrensis) is found along the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in W Mexico: in S Sonora, SW Chihuahua, NW Durango and border of Sinaloa. U. c. orinomus is found in E Mexico, Isthmus of Tehuantepec and S Mexico: S San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, N Hidalgo, N Puebla, and central Oaxaca, ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 m. Peninsular Gray Fox (U. c. peninsularis) is found in S Baja California Sur.
HABITAT Semi-arid shrublands on broken terrain, and pine-oak forests. Inhabits all vegetational associations, from sea level to 3,500 m. Grassland and crop areas are less preferred.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Not protected (Mexico). Very abundant; it benefits from anthropogenic disturbances. It has no conservation problems and its populations seem stable. It has been recorded in every state of Mexico. They are frequently sold illegally as pets.
PHOTO CREDITS Arturo Morales, Basaseachic Falls National Park (Mexico); Arnulfo Moreno, Tamaulipa (Mexico), Roberto González (Mexico).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS FRATERCULUS
BL: 48.2 cm (♂). TL: 24 cm. H: 32 cm. W: 1.8-3.5 kg. SL: 9.4 cm. SW: 5.3 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A small subspecies. Coat grizzled light gray in color, with a mid-dorsal black band extending onto the tail. On the sides, the buff becomes more conspicuous. Top of head more finely grizzled gray. Chin, upper side of muzzle and posterior half of upper lip are dusky. Cheeks, sides of muzzle, throat, inner legs and median line to base of tail are buffy white. Bases of ears, area behind ears, on sides of neck and across chest are ochraceous buff. Dark patch on the sides of the face extending onto the lower jaw. Distal half of ears duller than base, inner surface buffy white. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long and bushy, gray, with a black dorsal stripe and tip and ill-defined ventral buffy area. Outer sides of front legs and posterior surface of hind legs ochraceous buff.
OTHER NAMES Little Gray Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Yukatan-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorra de monte, gato de monte, gato cervan, zorra gris del Yucatán. Russian: Юкатанская серая лисица. Maya: W’ash, ch’amak, chomac.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Includes parvidens (from Merida, in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico). This subspecies displays the greatest morphological divergence of any of the Gray Foxes, and is characterized as having inflated auditory bullae, and is smaller and darker than other subspecies in S Mexico and Central America; some authors have suggested that it may deserve full specific recognition. There is some evidence indicating that a dwarf Fox (Urocyon sp.) has inhabited Cozumel Island, but it has never been formally described; some authors suggest that it is phenotypically distinct from the mainland taxon, and that this population may deserve a unique species or subspecies designation based on a long history of isolation.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 1-7. Weaning: Unknown. Sexual maturity: 12 months. Life span: 5 years. Breeding season: Probably from February through March. There is no specific information available for this subspecies, but probably similar to the other subspecies.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Although reported to remain in family groups, single individuals are most often encountered. Diet: Omnivorous and opportunistic feeder; it eats large quantities of fruits when available; at other times it specializes on small mammals or insects, and it occasionally eats birds, small reptiles and carrion. During the dry season in Belize, the diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods. Mainly nocturnal and crepuscular, spending much of the hot midday in the shade of the upper branches of the forest. It is rather easily seen and observed, trotting down wide trails or dirt roads or sitting on rocks and logs. Although almost always seen on the ground, it climbs well and sometimes dens high in trees, unlike other Canids. It is usually silent in the wild; captives may bark and whine.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico. Found in San Felipe in Yucatan, Laguna Esmeralda and Quintana Roo in Mexico, and also from Uaxactun, Petén Department, in Guatemala, and in Stann Creek Valley, Camp London and Kate’s Lagoon in Belize. Easily seen at night along roads in dry regions such as the N half of Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico); some have habituated to humans and may be approached closely in Tikal (Guatemala).
HABITAT Common and widespread in deciduous and semi-deciduous forest, agricultural areas and arid regions. Less common in evergreen forest. Extremely rare on Cozumel. It favors edges of forest and farmland, especially in rocky country, at low to moderately high elevations.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Not protected. Fairly common. Reports of Cozumel Gray Foxes are rare, consisting of occasional sightings or eyewitness accounts, but recent reports suggest a population may persist; this population may be extremely small and bordering on extinction, and should be considered Critically Endangered.
PHOTO CREDITS Michael Lane (Belize); Pascal C. and Ray Wilson, Tikal (Guatemala); Chaa Creek Belize Resort (Belize).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS GUATEMALAE
BL: 51 cm (♂). TL: 32.7 cm. H: 34-40 cm. W: 2.5-5 kg. SL: 10.1 cm. SW: 6.0 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A small subspecies, with color darker and richer. Coat color is clear gray above, tawny ochraceous laterally, along the sides and from the ears ventrally, encircling the white chin and throat. Top of head tinged with tawny. Cheek, muzzle and throat are white. Abdomen is ochraceous buff, except along median line and between hind legs, where it is dull white. Lips are black. Nose pad is black. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Distal half of ear thickly sprinkled with dusky hairs, inner surface of ear whitish. Tail is long and bushy, gray with a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface, a black tip and dull ochraceous underside.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Guatemala-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan (Honduras), tigrillo (El Salvador), zorra gris, gato de monte. Russian: Гватемальская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 2-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 10-12 months. Life span: 10 years, 15 years in captivity. Breeding season: Probably in February or March. There is no specific information available for this subspecies, but probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. Dens are used year-round but are most important during whelping season. They are usually located in wooded, brushy or similarly sheltered areas, such as rock crevices or outcrops, and brush or weed piles, and in hollow logs; hollow trees are also used.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs, monogamous. Diet: Opportunistic feeders and thrive on a great variety of animal and plant materials; rabbits seem to be important sources of food at all latitudes, and they are fond of fruits and plants, mice, squirrels, rats, moles, insects and even carrion. In El Salvador, plants and fruits may constitute up to 86% of its diet. Their delicate teeth prevent them from crushing large bones easily. Main predators: Dog, cougar, Coyote, eagle, owl, hawk. Behavior probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. Their crepuscular and nocturnal habits allow them to live near human settlements practically undetected. They readily climb trees and are able to scale limbless trunks and jump from one branch to another. The long bushy tail balances it as it leaps from branch to branch. They will often seek refuge in trees when pursued and may rest or forage there as well. Unique among Canids, Gray Foxes have semi-retractile nails, a possible adaptation to their semi-arboreal life. Gray Fox tracks may be mistaken for cat tracks, as the nails do not always register as they do in all other Canids, particularly the nails on the hind feet. It has good night vision and hearing. They are slow runners on the ground and must use their camouflage to surprise their prey.
DISTRIBUTION Native: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico. Found in southernmost Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
HABITAT Dry, open country, and scrub lands. They seem to adapt fairly well to the presence of humans and the consequent disturbed habitats.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Not protected. In Central America, Gray Foxes are seldom exploited for the fur trade. They are mostly killed because of their occasional visits to poultry and other domestic animal pens. In Central America they has probably been affected also by the conversion of forested land into pastures and urban environment.
PHOTO CREDITS William Rockey, Calakmul (Mexico); Elí García-Padilla, Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo (Mexico); Equal Exchange Cooperative, Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo (Mexico); Chico Sanchez, Sierra Madre de Chiapas (Mexico).
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS COSTARICENSIS
BL: 48.3-68.5 cm. TL: 27.5-44.5 cm. H: 34-40 cm. W: 2.5-5 kg. SL: 10.3 cm. SW: 6.1 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. A small and very dark subspecies, less buffy, with more abundant black-tipped hairs, less white on underside and darker feet. Coat moderately long and coarse, grizzled gray in color, formed by the nearly equal mixture of black tips and white subterminal bands of the coarse hairs, with a mid-dorsal black band extending onto the tail. Top of head more finely grizzled gray. Throat, abdomen and inside of the legs are buffy white. A dull ochraceous tawny border to the white throat extends onto the flanks and underside of tail. Black patch on the sides of the face extending onto the lower jaw. Tip of ears mixed with black hairs, inner side whitish. Eyes with oval-shaped pupils. Tail is long and bushy, black on upper surface and black tipped, with cinnamon-buff underparts.
OTHER NAMES Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Costa-Rica-Graufuchs. Spanish: Gato cervan, gato de monte, zorro gris de Costa Rica, zorro plateado de Costa Rica, tigrillo. Russian: Костариканская серая лисица.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus). Subspecies designations are probably invalid.
SIMILAR SPECIES Guatemalan Gray Fox (U. c. guatemalae) is generally lighter in color throughout, with brighter, tawny shades about the ears and more white on underside of limbs and body. Panama Gray Fox (U. c. furvus) is much lighter and more buffy in color, with less abundant black-tipped hairs, underfur everywhere very much lighter; head more buffy and the limbs and feet lighter. Coyote, the only other Canid occurring in Costa Rica, is larger and mostly yellow gray in color.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-60 days. Young per birth: 3-7. Weaning: Probably 42 days. Sexual maturity: 10-12 months. Life span: 5 years. Breeding season: Unknown. There is no specific information available for this subspecies, but probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. They generally use burrows made by other species, including tree roots, and may be in a tunnel, in a rock pile or under a brush pile. Sometimes they have offspring in trees. Although ♀ expel ♂ from the dens after pups are born, the monogamous ♂ continues to forage for food for his family. The young are independent at 4-5 months of age.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Mated pairs, monogamous. Diet: Rodents, rabbits, lizards, fruits, insects and other arthropods, eggs and birds. Main predators: Unknown. There is no specific information available for this subspecies, but probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. It is mainly nocturnal and seldom seen, although sometimes is active during the day. Territorial, marking its turf with urine. It is the only Canid that likes to climb trees, for which it is very agile, although nearly always seen on the ground. Usually travels alone, often trotting long distances on dirt roads or tracks; pairs or small groups are encountered on occasion.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Costa Rica. Occurs on Pacific slope at all elevations; on Caribbean slope absent at low elevations. Can become habituated to people and frequents some picnic areas (e.g., in Monteverde). It is more common in Guanacaste and in the Monteverde region.
HABITAT Found in a variety of habitats. Semi-arid fields, poor vegetation areas and scrub. In Costa Rica, it is found both in warm places (Santa Rosa, Guanacaste) and cold areas (Zarcero).
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Not protected (Costa Rica).
PHOTO CREDITS Adrian Hepworth and Doug Greenberg, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Costa Rica); KFS from BKL, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Costa Rica).
Panama and Venezuelan Gray Fox
UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS FURVUS AND VENEZUELAE
BL: 34 cm (♂). TL: 27 cm. H: 25-33 cm. W: Unknown. SL: 9.9 cm. SW: 5.4 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A small-sized Canid, with a short muzzle, elongated and stout body, and relatively short legs. The smallest subspecies, similar to Guatemalan Gray Fox, but paler, more buffy, and short haired. Coat is short, grizzled gray in color, including the entire dorsal surface from between the eyes to the root of the tail, flanks and thighs, with very little darker on the nape and mid-dorsal area. Bases of the ears and sides of throat ochraceous. Superciliary spot whitish. Dusky brown patch on the sides of the face extending onto the lower jaw. Tips of ears, forelegs and forefeet paler ochraceous; hind feet grizzled grayish. Underparts and inner surface of limbs pale buffy. Chin, upper lips, throat, a median line on lower side of neck, chest and inguinal region whitish. Tail grizzled gray, brownish black dorsally, pale buffy ventrally.
Urocyon cinereoargenteus venezuelae
OTHER NAMES Dusky Gray Fox, Tree Fox. French: Renard gris. German: Panama-Graufuchs, Venezuela-Graufuchs. Spanish: Micho de cerro (Panama), gato cervan, gato de monte, zorro gatuno, zorra gris, zorro plateado, lumba. Russian: Панамская серая лисица (furvus), Венесуэльская серая лисица (venezuelae). Chibcha: Fo, fu.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of Gray Fox (U. cinereoargenteus).
SIMILAR SPECIES Venezuelan Gray Fox is darker than Panama Gray Fox, which is the smallest and palest subspecies, with the shortest pelage. Northern subspecies of Gray Fox are much larger. Coyote is larger and mostly yellow gray in color, and does not run with tail horizontal. Crab-Eating Fox is larger, with a shorter tail, smaller ears, and a less patterned gray-brown pelage.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 53-63 days. Young per birth: 2-7. Weaning: 42 days. Sexual maturity: 10-12 months. Life span: 10 years, 15 years in captivity. Breeding season: Probably in February or March. There is no specific information available for these subspecies, but probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Solitary or mated pairs and their offspring of the year; monogamous, with occasional polygyny; it is not known if breeding pairs remain together during consecutive years. Diet: Omnivorous, consuming primarily rabbits and rodents, insects, birds, natural fruits and nuts, and sometimes carrion; fruit and nut consumption often increases as availability of these foods increases. There is no specific information available for these subspecies, but probably similar to other subspecies of Gray Fox. More active at night than during the day. No information has been reported on specific hunting behavior. Gray Foxes are notable tree climbers, and can climb branchless, vertical trunks, as well as jump vertically from branch to branch.
DISTRIBUTION Native: Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, probably Peru. U. c. furvus is found in W Panama. U. c. venezuelae is found in N Colombia and N Venezuela. Subspecific status of Gray Fox recently spotted in Tabaconas-Namballe National Sanctuary, in N Peru, is uncertain; this represents the southernmost record of the species in the Americas.
HABITAT Northernmost forest montane regions. In Panama it is found in semi-arid savanna country. It may persist or even increase in areas modified by human activities.
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Not protected (Colombia, Panama, Venezuela); Data Deficient (Peru).
PHOTO CREDITS Rodion Raskolnikov, Parque Jaime Duque (Colombia); María José Zamora Rodriguez, Zoológico Santacruz (Colombia); Brian Gratwicke, Parque Summit Municipal (Panama).
UROCYON LITTORALIS SANTACRUZAE
BL: 41.5-46.9 cm (♂), 43.1-54.1 cm (♀). TL: 19.5-28 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.3-2.3 kg. SL: 9.7 cm. SW: 5.6 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. The smallest subspecies of Island Fox, with shorter legs, and overall color darker and grayer than southern subspecies. Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip. Females are smaller than males.
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: Santa-Cruz-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño de Santa Cruz, zorro gris de la isla de Santa Cruz. Russian: Серая лисица острова Санта-Круз.
TAXONOMY There are six subspecies of Island Fox (Hall, 1981), each of which is native to a specific Channel Island, and which evolved there independently of the others: U. l. littoralis (San Miguel Island Fox); U. l. santarosae (Santa Rosa Island Fox); U. l. santacruzae (Santa Cruz Island Fox); U. l. catalinae (Santa Catalina Island Fox); U. l. clementae (San Clemente Island Fox); U. l. dickeyi (San Nicolas Island Fox). These subspecies are virtually identical in appearance and capable of interbreeding, but have genetic and phenotypic distinctions, such as the number of tail vertebrae.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: From February to March.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous pairs. Diet: Insects, deer mice, birds and eggs, lizards and fruits, with the proportion of each changing throughout the year as availability changes. Main predators: Golden eagle. Crepuscular, but may be active throughout a 24-hour period. Average home range size is 0.34 km2 on Santa Cruz Island, which is the smallest home range size reported for any Canid.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the eight Channel Islands.
HABITAT Grassland, chaparral and coastal sage scrub, and woodland and forest communities, on Santa Cruz Island. The diversity of terrain and temperature, along with the availability of year-round fresh water in many canyons, supports a higher diversity of habitat types and species than any other Channel Island. Foxes on Santa Cruz Island use all these habitat types. Although Santa Cruz Island has had limited human development compared to other Channel Islands, it has nonetheless been heavily impacted by livestock grazing. The Central Valley appears to be superior habitat for Foxes on this island.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Recently delisted due to recovery (USA). Population of this subspecies dropped from 1,300 in 1993 to as low as 50 Foxes in 2001, including 10 pairs brought into captivity in 2002. Predation by golden eagles was suspected of causing this decline. Feral pigs also cause severe damage to its habitat, particularly streamside vegetation in canyon bottoms, and may impact water sources. Grazing by domestic livestock may have changed vegetation composition and structure, thereby reducing available cover and making Foxes more susceptible to eagle predation. Beginning in 2003, captive-bred Foxes were released back into the wild, and by 2016, populations had increased to 2,100 adults. This population has been brought back from near extinction, primarily through the establishment of an active program to remove golden eagles and pigs from the island, and a captive breeding program that provides a safety net for the population.
PHOTO CREDITS Gary Kavanagh, Henri Thomassen, Laura Keene, temescal1859, Santa Cruz Island, CA (USA).
UROCYON LITTORALIS SANTAROSAE
BL: 44.4-47.5 cm (♂), 44.5-47 cm (♀). TL: 21.4-30 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.3-2.3 kg. SL: 9.9 cm. SW: 5.6 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. This subspecies of Island Fox has the longest ears, but otherwise is virtually identical in appearance. Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip. Females are smaller than males.
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: Santa-Rosa-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño de Santa Rosa, zorro gris de la isla de Santa Rosa. Russian: Серая лисица острова Санта-Роза.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of U. littoralis (Island Fox).
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: From February to March. Most young are born in late April, with biparental care exhibited once the pups emerge from the den in Urocyon littoralis santarosae June. When pups are born, their eyesight is limited and their pelage is dark gray to black. By the end of July or beginning of August, the adult coloration with more rust color in the pelage is achieved and the pups are close to adult size. Pups start foraging around the natal area with their parents at the beginning of the summer and dispersal begins in late September, with final dispersal from the natal area by December.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous ♂-♀ pairs. Diet: Diverse diet, mostly based on availability of resources, which include deer mice, beetles, Jerusalem crickets, and ice plant in addition to lizards and fruits from toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.). Other items not as prevalent in the diet include crustaceans, bird eggs, ungulate and sea mammal carrion; there are rare instances of Island Foxes eating island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala), an endemic carnivore found on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. Main predators: Golden eagle; because they evolved without predators, they do not fear introduced predators, humans, cars or other potential threats. Peak activity periods follow a crepuscular pattern, although there is diurnal activity as well. Territoriality seems to be displayed only during the denning season. Foxes on Santa Rosa Island have the largest home range size reported for any Island Fox population, 3.39 km2.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to Santa Rosa Island (California Channel Islands).
HABITAT Grassland, coastal sage scrub, lupine scrub, chaparral, mixed and riparian woodland, and coastal marsh areas on Santa Rosa Island. Shrub and woodland habitats provide more cover and tend to support higher Fox densities than grassland habitats. Santa Rosa Island has more diverse habitats and terrain along with more annual rainfall than S islands.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Recently delisted due to recovery (USA). Populations on Santa Rosa declined from 1,780 animals in 1994 to only 14 individuals in 1999, all of which were brought into captivity. The primary cause of decline was predation by nonnative golden eagles (prior to the 1990s, golden eagles did not occur on the Channel Islands, possibly because they were kept away by nesting bald eagles, which were extirpated). Beginning in 2003, captive-bred Foxes were released back into the wild. By 2016, the population had increased to an estimated 1,200 adults on Santa Rosa Island.
PHOTO CREDITS Michael Field and Douglas Mason, Santa Rosa Island, CA (USA).
UROCYON LITTORALIS CATALINAE
BL: 46.5-50.8 cm (♂), 45.8-49.3 cm (♀). TL: 23.5-31.6 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.2-2.7 kg (♂), 1.1-2.7 kg (♀). SL: 10.1 cm. SW: 5.8 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. The largest subspecies, with the longest tail, but otherwise is virtually identical in appearance. Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip. Females are smaller than males.
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: Santa-Catalina-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño de Santa Catalina, zorro gris de la isla de Santa Catalina. Russian: Серая лисица острова Санта-Каталина.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of U. littoralis (Island Fox).
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: From February to March. It is believed ♀ are only in estrus for 40 hours, once a year and only when a ♂ is nearby. Births occur in late Urocyon littoralis catalinae April. Pups are born in simple dens. The ♀ enlarges a depression under shrubs, downed trees or large rocks by digging. While the pups are attended only by the mother in the den for the first weeks, the ♂ provides food to the ♀. By early June, pups emerge from the den and begin foraging with both parents throughout the summer. ♂ pups tend to disperse a great distance from the parental territory, while ♀ pups may stay closer even as they reach adulthood.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous pairs. Diet: Mice, ground squirrels, lizards, birds, berries, insects and cactus fruit. Main predators: Golden eagle. Crepuscular, but may be active throughout a 24-hour period. The home range size varies according to age, gender and population density. Communication between Foxes is accomplished via auditory, olfactory and visual cues. They scent mark their territories. Scat piles may be seen along roads, trails or other prominent locations. They are often heard barking and yipping to each other. They are very agile and can climb trees and cliffs easily. Acceptance of humans varies between islands. On the islands where encounters are more common, Foxes appear to be less anxious around people.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to Santa Catalina Island (California Channel Islands).
HABITAT Coastal scrub on Santa Catalina Island, although this habitat has been heavily modified by the effects of introduced grazing animals and other human impacts. The S islands (Santa Catalina, San Clemente and San Nicolas) have greater development impacts such as naval bases and the town of Avalon.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Threatened (USA). On Santa Catalina, Island Foxes were nearly completely eliminated on the E portion of the island by a canine distemper outbreak that swept through the population in 1999, with only about 110 adult Foxes remaining on the island in 2000. Translocations from the W portion of the island, beginning in 2003, have resulted in a steadily growing population, estimated at approximately 1,852 foxes in 2013. About 80% of the Fox population now lives on the island’s E end. A serious health concern is an unusual ear cancer detected, especially in older Foxes. Vehicle trauma, however, continues to be the number one cause of Fox mortalities. The outbreak of another virulent canine disease, such as canine distemper virus or rabies, continues to be the greatest threat to the long-term survival of this subspecies due to its restricted distribution and small population size, as well as the continued presence of Domestic Dogs on the island.
PHOTO CREDITS Steve Garret and Kat Kiloueka, Santa Catalina Island, CA (USA).
UROCYON LITTORALIS CLEMENTAE
BL: 43.5-48 cm (♂), 42.5-47.5 cm (♀). TL: 23-29.5 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.3-2.3 kg. SL: 9.7 cm. SW: 5.6 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. Overall appearance of this subspecies is lighter than northern subspecies, with a little less black at the tip of the guard hairs. Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. A brown phase may occur. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip. Females are smaller than males.
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: San-Clemente-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño de San Clemente, zorro gris de la isla de San Clemente. Russian: Серая лисица острова Сан-Клементе.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of U. littoralis (Island Fox).
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: Earlier than in other subspecies, from December to March. Parturition has been documented as early as February on San Clemente Island. Juveniles remain with their parents until about August or September, and most dispersal from natal areas apparently occurs in late fall or early winter. Dens are almost exclusively in rock crevices, contrary to the variety of locations described for other subspecies. They move litters a short distance from the natal den 4–7 weeks after parturition, similar to Red Foxes that move offspring 1 to 3 times.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous ♂-♀ pairs. Diet: Insects, deer mice, birds and eggs, lizards and fruits, with the proportion of each changing throughout the year as availability changes. They consume few native fruits, the exception being prickly pear cactus, which apparently is less palatable to goats and pigs, and therefore expanded considerably in abundance and distribution with the elimination of competing vegetation. This subspecies has been identified as a predator of the severely endangered race of the loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi). Main predators: Because they evolved without predators, they do not fear introduced predators, humans, cars or other potential threats. Crepuscular, but may be active throughout a 24-hour period. They occupy relatively stable, year-round territories. Home range sizes on San Clemente Island average 0.77 km2.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to San Clemente Island (California Channel Islands).
HABITAT Coastal scrub, although this habitat has been heavily modified by the effects of introduced grazing animals and other human impacts (the island is owned and managed by the US Navy). On this island, densities appear to be higher in maritime desert scrub than in annual grasslands; ecological communities have been markedly impacted and reduced, and the distribution of woodlands and shrublands is severely restricted to certain deep canyons.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. Estimated population around 1,100 in 2011. A small area of stabilized sand dunes on the N end of the island support the highest recorded density of Foxes. Main threats include habitat loss by livestock grazing, introduction of non-native ungulates, and the spread of non-native plants and diseases. Island Foxes may lack resistance to some diseases found on the mainland, due to their geographic isolation, and may be potentially susceptible to dramatic die-offs from exposure to diseases such as rabies or certain strains of canine distemper. Population declined by over 90% during 1999-2000 due to disease most likely introduced by Domestic Dogs.
PHOTO CREDITS Sarah Corrice, Nicole Desnoyers and Navy Currents Magazine, San Clemente Island, CA (USA); Sergey Chichagov, Santa Barbara Zoo, CA (USA).
UROCYON LITTORALIS LITTORALIS
BL: 48.8-51.5 cm (♂), 46.8-48.6 cm (♀). TL: 15.7-21 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.3-2.3 kg (♂), 1.1-2.7 kg (♀). SL: 10.6 cm. SW: 5.8 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. Second largest subspecies, with the shortest tail (average 15 vertebrae). Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip. Females are smaller than males.
Urocyon littoralis littoralis
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: San-Miguel-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño de San Miguel, zorro gris de la isla de San Miguel. Russian: Серая лисица острова Сан-Мигель.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of U. littoralis (Island Fox). Genetically, it is most closely related to Foxes on Santa Rosa.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: From February to March.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous pairs. Diet: Insects, deer mice, birds and eggs, lizards and fruits. Main predators: Golden eagle. Crepuscular, but may be active throughout a 24-hour period.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to San Miguel Island (California Channel Islands).
HABITAT Coastal scrub on San Miguel Island. This island has one of the windiest, foggiest and most maritime climates of all the Channel Islands. Steep bluffs line the coast, especially along the S shoreline. Domestic sheep grazing helped convert much of the island’s shrub vegetation to alien annual grasslands, and many of the ravines that cut across the island are a result of erosion from years of extensive livestock grazing, military bomb testing, and agriculture; activities that no longer exist on the island. This island is owned by the US Navy, and most of the shoreline is closed to the public; there are no roads or motorized vehicles and very few developed areas. Foxes on San Miguel Island currently experience little human impact compared to Foxes on other islands.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. Regional status: Delisted due to recovery (USA). By 2000, this subspecies had declined to only 15 individuals, which were brought into captivity. Beginning in 2003, they were released back into the wild. By 2016, populations had increased to an estimated 700 animals on San Miguel Island. Predation by golden eagles appeared to be the primary cause of death.
UROCYON LITTORALIS DICKEYI
BL: 40-47.3 cm (♂), 46.3-50.2 cm (♀). TL: 14-32.2 cm. H: 30.5-33 cm. W: 1.3-2.3 kg (♂), 1.1-2.7 kg (♀). SL: 9.5 cm. SW: 5.6 cm. DF: 42. CN: 66. A very small-sized Canid, the smallest Fox in North America, with similar markings as the Gray Fox but significantly smaller. Lighter in color than other subspecies, with the longest legs, and the largest number of bones in the tail (average 22 vertebrae). Coat is short, grizzled grayish white and black. A brown phase may occur. Side of the neck and limbs are cinnamon rufous in color. Abdomen is dull white with intermediate areas of pale rusty. Ears are grizzled dorsally, changing to light cinnamon rufous on the base and sides. Head is gray with black patches on the sides of the muzzle. White patches on the muzzle extending behind the lateral black patches to the cheek, which blends into the white throat. Lips are black. Tail is gray, rusty underneath, with a distinctive narrow black stripe along the dorsal surface, and a black tip.
Urocyon littoralis dickeyi
OTHER NAMES Island Fox, California Channel Island Fox, Channel Islands Fox, Island Gray Fox. French: Renard gris insulaire. German: San-Nicolas-Graufuchs. Spanish: Zorro isleño, zorro gris de las islas. Russian: Серая лисица острова Сан-Николас.
TAXONOMY Considered a subspecies of U. littoralis (Island Fox).
SIMILAR SPECIES On average, Foxes are largest on Santa Catalina and smallest on Santa Cruz, although these differences are minor. Gray Fox is larger, with more tail vertebrae and therefore a longer tail, and somewhat darker coloration.
REPRODUCTION Gestation: 50-53 days. Young per birth: 2-3, up to 5 depending on food availability. Weaning: 56-70 days. Sexual maturity: 12-24 months. Life span: 8-10 years. Breeding season: From February to March. Births occur in late April.
BEHAVIOR Social behavior: Monogamous pairs. Diet: Insects, deer mice, birds and eggs, lizards and fruits, with the proportion of each changing throughout the year as availability changes; precipitation has a great influence on diet patterns. Main predators: None. Crepuscular, but may be active throughout a 24-hour period. The home range size varies according to age, gender and population density. On San Nicolas Island, home range size averages 1.81 km2 during mating phase with significantly smaller home ranges, averaging 0.65 km2, during post-mating, pupping and non-reproductive phases; the smaller home range size can likely be explained by activity being centralized around a den site during the post-mating and pupping seasons.
DISTRIBUTION Native: United States. Restricted to San Miguel Island (California Channel Islands). San Miguel Island has one of the windiest, foggiest and most maritime climates of all the Channel Islands. Steep bluffs line the coast, especially along the S shoreline.
HABITAT Coastal scrub, although this habitat has been heavily modified by the effects of introduced grazing animals and other human impacts (this island is owned and managed by the US Navy, and is used for weapons testing). They prefer the stabilized dunes and coastal sage scrub on the W end of the island, over grasslands and barren cliffs in the S and E of the island. Most trees and shrubs have been eliminated by sheep.
CONSERVATION STATUS Near Threatened. CITES: Not listed. In contrast to the other populations, the San Nicolas Island Fox population has remained relatively stable over the past 10 years. Since 2000, estimated population size has fluctuated from 350 to 800 individuals. Potential threats include competition with feral cats, vehicle strikes and the introduction of infectious disease.
