Island fox

islandFox2: COMMON NAME: Island fox

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Urocyon littoralis clementae

DESCRIPTION:

Island foxes are distinguished by their overall smaller size, darker coloration, and proportionally shorter legs. They are more active during the day than other foxes due to the absence of predators and freedom from human harassment.

LIFE HISTORY:

Life Span: 5-7 years

ECOLOGY:

Habitat: Each of the six largest islands off the southern California coast are populated by a separate sub-species. These foxes are from San Clemente Island which has a great diversity of topography, vegetation, habitats, and food sources. the foxes inhabit all island life zones. The foxes live in sheltered crevices or tree hollows; they do not excavate their own dens.

Niche: As one of the top predators on the island, they hunt and eat ground nesting birds, deer mice, squirrels, rats, insects, carrion, and fruits by seasonal availability.

Ecosystem: Island

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REPORT FROM THE FIELD: DAVE GARCELON, FIELD BIOLOGIST, INSTITUTE OF WILDLIFE STUDIES


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