The Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is a small fox native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. There are six subspecies, each unique to the island it lives on, reflecting its evolutionary history. They are generally docile, show little fear of humans, and are easily tamed. Island foxes played an important role in the spiritual lives of native Channel Islanders. They have been likely semi-domesticated as pets, used as pelts, or for other functions, like pest control.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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Island endemicIsland endemic animals are found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island. Animals or organisms that are indigenous to a place ar...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Island fox is significantly smaller than the related Gray fox and is the smallest fox in North America. The male of this species is always larger than the female. The Island fox has gray fur on its head, a ruddy red coloring on its sides, white fur on its belly, throat, and the lower half of its face, and a black stripe on the dorsal surface of its tail. In general, the coat is darker and duller-hued than that of the Gray fox. The Island fox molts once a year between August and November. Before the first molt pups are woolly and have a generally darker coat than adult foxes.
Island foxes live on the six largest of the eight California Channel Islands located off the southern California coast, USA. These are San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, San Nicolas Island, Santa Catalina Island, and San Clemente Island. Island foxes prefer complex layer vegetation with a high density of woody, perennially fruiting shrubs. They live in all of the island biomes including temperate forests, oak woodlands, pine forests, grasslands and chaparral, beaches, and sand dunes.
Island foxes tend to move around alone, rather than in packs. They are generally nocturnal creatures with peaks of activity at dawn and dusk. However, in summer Island foxes are more active during the day. They are quite easy to tame and are generally docile. Island foxes communicate using auditory, olfactory, and visual signals. A dominant fox uses vocalizations, staring, and ear flattening to cause another fox to submit. Signs of dominance and submission are visual, such as facial expression and body posture. Main vocalizations include barking and growling. Island foxes are territorial and mark territory with urine and feces. They are also good tree climbers.
Island foxes are omnivores and eat fruits, insects, birds, eggs, crabs, lizards, and small mammals, including deer mice.
Island foxes are monogamous and mate for life. Breeding pairs are frequently seen together beginning in January and through the breeding season, from late February to early March. The gestation period lasts around 50-63 days. The female gives birth in a den, a typical litter having 1 to 5 kits, with an average of 2 or 3. Kits are blind and helpless with short dark brown hair at birth. They are born in the spring and emerge from the den in early summer. The young are usually weaned at 7-9 weeks and reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. They will be able to breed after one year of age.
Main threats to Island foxes include loss of their habitat, and degradation of the habitat due to introduced mammal species, including feral cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and American bison. They also suffer greatly from predation by non-native Golden eagles, trapping, diseases brought by domestic dogs, and car accidents.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Island foxes is around 4,001 mature individuals. San Miguel Island holds 400 mature individuals; Santa Rosa Island - 280 mature individuals; Santa Cruz Island - 1,200 foxes with 880 mature individuals; Santa Catalina Island - 1,500 individuals; San Clemente Island - 1,100 individuals; San Nicolas Island - 600-800 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are increasing.
