Friday, August 9, 2013

The Terrible Twos

Time leap - it's 3 weeks later, mid-April, and the kit fox cam trap just received fresh batteries.

The young pup has been coming above ground for a month, is weaned, but isn't yet old enough to start seriously hunting with Mom and Dad, nor venture out alone.

Yes, that's right - it's time for the terrible twos.

Months, that is.

Which means a lot of hanging around the den.

sj kit foxes

sj kit fox

Looking for things to do.

sj kit fox

Such as playing with your food.

sj kit fox

And playing with your parents.

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

And playing.

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

And playing.

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

And occasionally chewing on old bones and hooves.

sj kit foxes

And playing.

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

And playing.

sj kit foxes

sj kit foxes

A wise friend once told me a key to parenting young kids is learning the "art of distraction."

If so, these kit fox parents seem to have mastered that art.

sj kit foxes

Of course, while these family photos are a total joy, they are also a tad sad.

Because our little pup has no siblings, and growing up alongside sibs and learning life skills through play is such a canid thing. I.e., puppy piles.

Plus, it might have given these fantastic fox parents a few more chances to kick back and enjoy the sunsets on the Carrizo Plain.

sj kit fox

That's the Dad, btw.

Sure looks like a proud and content papa to me.

Editor's note: this was post 2 of 3 of this kit fox family. The other two posts are here:
====
References:
  • Nature of a Man (this blog) - In a Family Way
  • The Wasmann Journal of Biology, Vol 14, 1956 - Ernest C. Twisselmann - A Flora of the Temblor Range and the Neighboring Part of the San Joaquin Valley
  • Natural Areas Journal, Vol 31, 2011 - David J. Germano, Department of Biology, California State University Bakersfield  - The San Joaquin Desert of California: Ecologically Misunderstood and Overlooked
  • CSU Stanislaus Endangered Species Recovery Program - San Joaquin Kit Fox
  • CSU Stanislaus Endangered Species Recovery Program - Recovery Plan for San Joaquin Kit Fox
  • CSU Stanislaus Endangered Species Recovery Program - Giant Kangaroo Rat
==========

9 comments:

  1. Wow. Those are amazing pics!

    ReplyDelete
  2. . . .

    so you've crushed some playful coyotes, got an awesome puma cub and now this kit fox session -- what can be in store next?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right. Must be about time for ringtail pups.

      Delete
  3. This series is fantastic! I love the soft coloration of the kit foxes. It's incredible how you have such good day and night photos. Do you have more than one cam trap set up here (also looking forward to Codger's video)? Say, do you work for CDFW now? I can't believe anything could live in that barren-looking area. How'd you guys find the den to begin with?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We set cams on multiple dens, but this was the only one that ended up with a kit fox family. Nope, I don't work for CDFW directly, I just help on projects. As for finding the dens, it's generally done by walking transects or trapping and collaring foxes to track them to the dens.

      Delete
  4. With the kit foxes being relatively small, I still can't get over how huge the giant kangaroo rats are. Makes me think they must have some big effects on vegetation around their burrows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your instincts are spot on. They are amazing terraformers, and can be hugely beneficial to habitats. I've seen areas where one ingens has cleared hundreds of square feet of non-native cheat grass. Nibbled to the ground well before seeding.

      Hmmm... maybe one of these days I should write a series about k-rats, huh? :)

      Delete
  5. Wonderful photos and commentary. I've just learned a lot about kit foxes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks JoeEllen. As I'm sure you would guess, it was a real treat getting to work on them with the Codger.

      Delete

Please leave a comment, thought or question at any time.