Channel Island Fox
Renovation
of the Channel Island fox exhibit has enhanced viewing opportunities of
this endangered species, found only on the islands off the California Coast.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of only a few facilities breeding these small,
colorful animals and this renovation allows space for two separate breeding
pairs. This year marks the 10 th anniversary of the Zoo’s collaboration
with the U.S. National Park Service regarding conservation of the Channel
Island fox.
Habitat/Range: Restricted to the six largest Channel Islands.
Description: The largest Channel Islands native mammal, this descendent of the mainland gray fox evolved into a unique species over 10,000 years ago. Markings are similar to its ancestor, but the island fox is one-third smaller, about the size of a housecat (four to five pounds). The San Clemente Island subspecies, which the Zoo holds, is littler still: it is the smallest U. S. fox species. They can be active by day or night, but are most often seen foraging during early morning and from late afternoon to early evening.
Breeding: Generally monogamous (mate for life) and breed only once a year. Litter size ranges from one to as many as five pups, but two or three is average. The sires play an important role in the rearing of young.
Diet: They primarily eat insects and land snails, but also feed on rodents, birds, eggs, reptiles, fruits and other plants. They adapt to their surroundings: on Santa Cruz Island, foxes climb tall shrubs to reach berries and to eat flying insects. On San Nicolas Island, they enter gull colonies to prey on eggs and chicks.
Status: Four subspecies of island fox were listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act in March 2004; they are listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. They face predation by golden eagles, habitat destruction by feral pigs, and canine distemper. Through collaborative efforts, these populations are starting to make a recovery.
Fun Fact: Island Chumash regarded this fox with special reverence and crafted quivers, capes, blankets, and ceremonial headdresses out of the hides. The foxes served as totems, dream helpers, and characters in legends.
The Zoo’s Channel Island Foxes: The Zoo has been
involved with the research and care of these animals since 1999, and works
closely with the National Park Service to study their behavior and to increase
captive populations. Offspring from the Zoo’s foxes have gone to
the Los Angeles Zoo and the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero. Two of the
Zoo’s five foxes came from San Clemente Island, another from Santa
Rosa Island, and two were born at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Photo credits: Tony Vega, David Orias