San Joaquin kit fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Joaquin kit fox |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male San Joaquin kit fox | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Vulpes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
V. m. mutica
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Vulpes macrotis mutica Meriam, 1902
|
|
The San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) is a small and speedy fox. It used to be very common in the San Joaquin Valley and across much of Central California. Sadly, this animal is now an endangered species. This means there are not many left in the wild.
In 1990, scientists thought there were about 7,000 San Joaquin kit foxes. Even after almost 50 years on the Endangered Species List, their numbers are still low. The government officially listed this fox as endangered on March 3, 1967. People are working to protect them. For example, a special area called the Deadman Creek Conservation Bank was set up in 2007. This area is about 684 square kilometers and helps protect the fox's home.
Contents
About the San Joaquin Kit Fox
The San Joaquin kit fox is the smallest fox in North America. It has large ears that help it hear prey and keep cool. These foxes are mostly active at night. They hunt small animals like kangaroo rats, ground squirrels, and rabbits. They also eat insects and plants.
Where They Live
These foxes live in dry, open areas. Their main home is the San Joaquin Valley in California. This area has grasslands and shrublands. They dig dens for shelter, to raise their young, and to hide from predators. Sometimes, they use dens dug by other animals.
Why They're Endangered
The San Joaquin kit fox faces many threats. The biggest problem is habitat loss. This means their natural home is being destroyed. People are building more farms, cities, and roads. This takes away the land the foxes need to live and hunt.
Other challenges for the kit fox include:
- Competition: They have to compete for food and space with other animals. The red fox, for example, is a bigger and stronger competitor.
- Predators: The balance of nature has changed. Long ago, gray wolves lived in California. They helped control the number of coyotes. Now, with no wolves, coyotes are more common. Coyotes are a main predator of the kit fox. This makes it harder for the kit fox to survive.
Protecting the San Joaquin Kit Fox
Many groups are working to save the San Joaquin kit fox. They try to protect the remaining habitats. They also work to connect different areas of land. This allows the foxes to move safely between places. Education is also important. People need to know why these foxes are special and how to help them.
Every effort to protect their homes and understand their needs helps the San Joaquin kit fox. It is important to make sure these unique animals can thrive for future generations.
Images for kids
-
V. m. mutica sitting
-
V. m. mutica resting
-
A San Joaquin kit fox family
-
Two San Joaquin kit foxes
-
V. m. mutica at Carrizo Plains National Monument
_(11460676606).jpg)
