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Endangered Species of California: The San Joaquin Kit Fox Essay

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When we hear about an endangered species we auto, automatically think of great blue whales, African elephants, polar bears, pandas, etc. These are highly publicized by the media and documentary makers. People are aware of this endangered species but not of the less popular endangered species that are in our own backyard. Based on published historic range and population there is roughly 317 animal and plant species endangered in California. The endangered species are protected under the federal and state Endangered Species Act. Under this act species are protected from being taken from their environment, creates a safe habitat for animals to thrive again, restore population numbers, etc. One of the animals in central California that is …show more content…

It is a necessity for kid foxes to inhabit area where soil quality is loos- texture, which allows them to construct dens. Dens are very important for this species, because they are nocturnal, their dens are crucial for protection during the day and from predators. Dens are also necessary for San Joaquin kit fox to reproduce. Kit foxes reach sexually maturity at 22 months and mate from December to March. An average of 3 to 5 pups is born after a 48 to 52 day pregnancy. Special pupping dens are built for pupping. Dens are highly important to protect females and pups from predators such as coyote, red foxes and as well as humans During this season males are out hunting for both of them, while females feed the pups. The kit fox prey upon ground squirrels, gophers, birds, lizard, mice, ground nesting birds, insects and eat vegetation as well. They are solitary animals, preferring to live alone or in small packs. Therefore, pups are weaned after a month and leave the den. After four or five moths they are able to scavenger and hunt on their own and leave the family.
The loss of natural habitat has been the main cause the San Joaquin kit fox became endangered. Agricultural, industrial and urban development has resulted in habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation in the San Joaquin Valley. The southern half of the San Joaquin valley has been lost to petroleum field developments, the development has destroyed habitat by constructing roads, pipelines, well pads, tank

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