Love is in the Air for Island Foxes, Too

February isn't just the month of romance for humans, it is also when island fox pairs find a den and mate.

Island foxes are more monogamous than their gray fox ancestors. Territory and resources are limited on the Channel Islands and a pair of island foxes works together to protect their territory from other island foxes. They also work together to provide food for their pups. 

For the first month or so of the pups' lives, the female island fox stays close to the den to feed the pups and help keep them warm. She needs a male partner she can depend on to bring her food. A male island fox may bring his lady love a dead deer mouse or a small bird, to show that he is a good provider.

He also will protect their territory to keep the pups safe (and to keep other male island foxes away from his mate). 

A mouse gift may not seem as romantic as chocolates to us, but to a female island fox the gift of a deer mouse means her mate will be dependable and committed to helping her raise healthy pups. 

Won't You Be F257's Valentine?

It's February – time to help the unique island foxes that live on California's Channel Islands!

Why does Friends of the Island Fox ask for your donations? 

Funding is essential for island fox conservation.

You can help this pup.

Won't you be her Valentine?

Island fox F257 is a female 10-month-old island fox. Last summer she was captured on Santa Rosa Island during annual health checks. A sample of her blood was taken, she was micro-chipped, and a whisker was collected for diet analysis.

In December of 2019, she was fitted with a radio-tracking collar funded by FIF and had another whisker removed for analysis.  

All of this work–the examination and work by the technician; blood sample testing, the microchip, radio-tracking collar, and diagnostic research on the whiskers–requires funding.

That is where you can make a difference. We ask you to donate, so FIF can help fund important island fox conservation work across the Channel Islands in conjunction with the various island land managers.

Pup F257 has so much to tell us.

Throughout her life, when captured, her microchip reveals her identity. Her data, gathered during annual check-ups, will form her profile history. Data collected on individual foxes is valuable for researchers and understanding how to keep island fox populations healthy and stable. Her radio collar will monitor her movements and safety.

The analysis of her two whiskers will tell us how her diet has changed from a very young pup to her life at 10 months old. If the winter rains don't return and F257 faces her first year in drought conditions, will she change her diet? FIF's Research Grant recipients are investigating important science on island fox health. Are foxes finding adequate nutritional food in their island ecosystem? Can we expect F257 to live a lifespan of 8–12 years?

This young pup is starting her life on Santa Rosa Island. You can be part of her success. Your donation will help make sure she is watched over and healthy.