# island fox (*Urocyon littoralis*) The island fox is a small, cute fox found only on six of California's Channel Islands. They have big ears and a fluffy tail, making them look adorable and very special! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Channel Island Fox ![island fox](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Urocyon_littoralis_pair.jpg&width=800) Photo: National Park Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Urocyon_littoralis_pair.jpg) ## Appearance The island fox is the smallest fox in North America, with a grizzled grayish-brown coat and striking reddish-orange sides. It has a white throat, belly, and inner ears, contrasted by a distinctive black stripe and tip on its tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Urocyon ## Interesting facts - Each fox often has a specific den site it uses for many years! - Island foxes are only found on six of California's Channel Islands! - Their ancestors floated to these islands thousands of years ago! - They communicate using barks, growls, and even tail positions! ## Special abilities - **Agile Climber:** Island fox can climb trees easily thanks to semi-retractable claws that help them find food or escape danger. - **Island Miniaturization:** Island fox has evolved to be much smaller than mainland foxes because this helps them thrive with fewer resources on islands. - **Sharp Night Vision:** Island fox can hunt effectively in low light using excellent night vision that helps them find prey after sunset. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 59-79 cm - **Weight:** 1.3-2.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-6 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 50-53 days ## Diet & Feeding Island foxes are omnivores, eating fruits, insects, small mammals, and birds found on their island homes. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Manzanita berries, Cactus fruits, Deer mice, Bird eggs, Lizards - **Foraging Methods:** Foraging, Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Primary food source for the island fox. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A major aerial predator of young island foxes. - **Eats:** Island Manzanita (*Arctostaphylos insularis*) — Foxes consume its berries as a key food source. - **Eats:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — An introduced species that island foxes sometimes prey on. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a fox, enjoy watching it from a distance and do not try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify island fox? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is island fox? 59-79 cm ### How much does island fox weigh? 1.3-2.8 kg ### How long does island fox live? 4-6 years ### How fast can island fox move? 25 km/h ### What does island fox eat? Island foxes are omnivores, eating fruits, insects, small mammals, and birds found on their island homes. ### Where is island fox usually found? Coastal areas ### How does island fox hunt? Foraging and Pursuit ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Island Fox: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/island-fox)