Species Hang in the Balance

BINOMIAL NAME:

Urocyon Littoralis

ANATOMICAL PROPORTIONS:

22-31 in. long (tip-to-tail)/ 12-13 in. tall/ 3-6 lbs.

POPULATION (APPROXIMATE):

800-900

CONSERVATION STATUS:

ENDANGERED/ CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT:

Grasslands, coastal and desert scrubs, chaparrals, oak and pine woodlands, and riparian and coastal dunes, on three of the six Channel Islands, off the coast of California, U.S.A.

DIET:

Small mammals (e.g. deer mice), mollusks, fruits, small birds, insects, eggs, and small reptiles (e.g. lizards)

SPECIES THREATS:

Because the island fox is confined to tiny, closed habitats (at one time there was a unique subspecies of the fox, for each of the six Channel Islands), even modest threats can be catastrophic for the species.

Primarily, island foxes declined due to predation---in the early 1990's, collective measures were taken to eradicate the islands' feral native pigs, which left the golden eagle (another native species) without prey. The eagle's alternative was to target the island fox, which had devastating consequences for the already unstable fox populations.

Because island fox habitat is essentially isolated, the species has no natural immunity to many canine diseases and parasites. When humans started flocking to the Channel Islands during the 90's, their pets in tow, canine distemper spread quickly to the native fox. This took a dramatic toll on (in particular) the San Catalina Island subspecies, with a mortality rate of 90%.

In 1998---and in an effort to protect another critically endangered, native species---the U.S. Navy launched an island fox trapping and euthenizing program. The program was ceased in 2000, but it left the San Clemente Island subspecies critically endangered

UNIQUE FACTS:

The little island fox is the smallest fox in North America, and among the smallest foxes in the world (the only one smaller is the fennec fox).

Though not advisable as a pet, the island fox is remarkably tame---they seem neither intimidated nor bothered by the human presence, and despite what humans have put them through in the last two decades.

DEVOTED ORGANIZATION:

Friends of the Island Fox

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