But 2013 was a drought year in CA, and the kit fox pair only had one pup.
So, since this El Nino-ish season had reasonable rain on the Plain, we thought we'd try again.
And this time we tripled our fun: a mom, dad, and 3 pups.
Here's a sampling from the set, starting with 5 nights in late March...
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/26793827875_df9158a077_z.jpg)
Dad SJ kit fox next to the natal den
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/26727001931_b76c922432_z.jpg)
Taking a break - while he can
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/26793825205_dcb6b6f87c_z.jpg)
Pups coming out of the den to greet dad
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7723/26726999031_3303fd7ea7_z.jpg)
You'll note there's a bit more green on the ground this round.
A sign of the better season. Unfortunately, much of it is non-native filaree (Erodium cicutarium). However, much like cattle, the local kangaroo rats and pocket mice, including the endangered Giant Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ingens, like to eat filaree. And their populations do well when the filaree does well. Which benefits the kit foxes and other rodent-dependent predators.
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/26793821995_4422cc87cd_z.jpg)
Mom SJ kit fox dropping off 5 k-rats she brought back for the puppies
That's mom with the radio tracking collar. She's part of a broader study to understand their movements in the area. And that's 5 k-rats at her feet the pup is going after. Nicely done, mom!
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/26190331733_758cc1fcda_z.jpg)
Dad under tail attack
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7669/26793819515_1d6054b01f_z.jpg)
Junior explorers - "follow me!"
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/26190329873_e4dfa7f7b4_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/26793816815_d9fb784c6c_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/26190327563_94720c7966_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/26793813575_71b2126112_z.jpg)
"Ow, ow, ow - you're so fierce and vicious…"
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/26188974494_cb71570c35_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7786/26188973354_a2d0935fc1_z.jpg)
Puppy hide-and-seek?
Notice how the puppies are more using their ears than their eyes to track and look for each other...
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/26793809405_538dc6b128_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/26793835455_9b778fe45e_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/26793806905_25b71dbe43_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/26726978851_e4d63d4b23_z.jpg)
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/26793804135_b774883568_z.jpg)
Dad attack!
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/26188964234_cb6d48398c_z.jpg)
Nothing cuter than scampering puppy butts.
![san joaquin kit foxes](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/26793801615_e386bc6c87_z.jpg)
Dad with a mouthful for the puppies
Next up: Morning w/ Mom - the 3 kit fox puppies hanging out in the morning sun with their ma.
====
References:
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - In a Family Way
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - The Terrible Twos
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - Kit Fox Family - Bonus Tracks
- 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
oh yippee. I was hoping for a rainy spring puppy fest. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see they're doing well despite the drought.
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful shots! Those puppy butts... I'm also glad to know that Erodium is good for something!
ReplyDeleteVery nice batch of photos, including some really good behavior and activity photographs.
ReplyDeleteVery noice.
ReplyDelete