San Joaquin Kit Fox
Vulpes macrotis mutica
Blake Faris
BIO 227
ENDANGERED
Listed: 3/11/1967
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Description and Ecology
The San Joaquin Kit fox is about 20in long (about the size of the average household cat). They are complete with big ears and long bushy tails.They have a very distinct coat color of grey and yellow.
They prey most prominently on smaller animals such as mice, kangaroo rats, bird, lizards. Basically it will eat anything small enough to fix in its mouth. Kit foxes are notoriously nocturnal and nomadic animals, changing locations whenever it is most convenient for them. They primary take the leftover dens from other animals but with occasionally use man made objects such as drainage pipes which work just as well. They take advance of the grassland and scrub of the
-Kit foxes do not need to drink water since their prey provides enough liquid for them to survive.
-Adult pairs stay together all year
-Kit fox parents will care for their pups until they are able to find food for themselves, at about 4-5 months old.
http://www.defenders.org/san-joaquin-kit-fox/basic-facts http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_kids/San-Joaquin-Kit-Fox/es_kids_san-joaquin-kit-fox.htm
Geographic and Population changes
http://www.canids.org/CBC/16/san_joaquin_kit_fox_habitat_suitability.pdf  Listing Date and Type of Listing
The San Joaquin kit fox was listed as endangered on March 11th 1967 as is currently classified as endangered. The recovery plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley was published on September 30th 1998. They are being increasingly more sought after in terms of conservation due to the fact that they are now considered a "umbrella species" so helping this animal with benefit the other native wildlife.
Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence
The list of reasons why the SJ kit fox is threatened is increasingly overwhelming. Without the direct influence from human, naturally the SJ kit foxes population fluctuate with the amount of rainfall, no naturally it doesn't help that we are currently in a drought. They also have natural predators in the form of coyotes, red foxes (non-native) and varies raptors. Now throw the increased amount of development via agriculture as well as housing and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a mate, not to mention the risk of injury and death from people, poison and cars to name a few.
http://www.defenders.org/san-joaquin-kit-fox/basic-facts
 Summary of Recovery Plan
There are current efforts being made to secure a 60000 acres of land for the protection of the kit foxes as well other native species.they have
evaluated habitat enhancement, kit fox relocation,
supplemental feeding, and coyote control as
means of enhancing the kit foxes recovery. There has been a huge change in population decreases due to the lack of use of rodenticides issued by the government. This reduces the direct mortality rate.
http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/Optisolar-Topaz+Solar+Farm/Documents/Johnston+Strobridge+Exhibits/Exhibit+06.pdf
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Photos-Endangered-kit- foxes-thrive-in-Bakersfield-169534646.html
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