Mammalogy - Mammal Observations

XplorMor International fieldwork, expeditions and programs encourage discovery, appreciation and conservation of our planet. Our mammal observations document physical appearance, behaviors and habitats of this animal class, with the exclusion of humans. Our aim is for this scientific research and beautiful photography to engage people in learning more about mammals, and protecting species and their habitats.

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Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA.

This was a rare treat as I've never seen two of these Island Foxes together. They are about the size of a housecat, and only live on six of the eight Channel Islands located off the coast of southern California, and are found nowhere else on Earth.

In the 1990s the planet almost lost theses treasures from the use of DDT and the encroachment of domestic stock, cows and sheep. By 2000 there were about 90 left across the island chain. Today after careful, dedicated conservation, I'm happy to report that the population has recovered. The Island Fox provides an instructive example of how a coordinated, organized and highly focused strategy was able to reverse the extinction of an endangered population. Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/island-fox.htm

Santa Cruz island Channel Islands National Park USA xplormor California Channel Islands Channel Islands National Park Island Fox National Park Santa Cruz Island Urocyon littoralis Ventura Ventura County Wildlife XplorMor International canid species carnivore endangered species endemic species nature preserve