Species › Mammals › Island Fox

Island Fox

Urocyon littoralis

RareMammal
Illustration of Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis)

The Island Fox is a dwarf fox endemic to six of the eight California Channel Islands and is the smallest fox in North America. It is one of the most geographically restricted mammals in the United States, with each island hosting a distinct subspecies. The island fox is the subject of one of the fastest successful endangered species recovery efforts in U.S. history, recovering from fewer than 100 individuals on some islands to over 1,000 within a decade.

Habitat
Island scrub, woodlands, and coastal sage on California Channel Islands
Diet
Deer mice, insects, bird eggs, fruit, and crabs
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Island Fox

The best time to see a Island Fox is March–August, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,723 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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