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Island gray fox |
|
He is a wild animal |
Origin |
U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
| The possession of this animal is not authorized Royal Decree establishing the list of mammals not kept for production purposes that may be kept (M.B. 24.08.2009) |
| The island gray fox (Urocyon littoralis) is a small species of North American fox in the genus Urocyon and family Canidae. It is an endangered species, and appears to be most vulnerable on certain islands. According to 280 blood samples taken between 1999 and 2008, a higher number of lymphocytes and eosinophilic polynuclear cells found in the blood of grey foxes living on the northernmost islands suggests that they are in poorer health, or are more parasitized than others. Despite ambitious conservation programs, the species, which has lost some of its genetic diversity, remains susceptible to infectious and neoplastic diseases and, potentially, to certain toxins and pollutants. This species is endemic to the Channel Islands archipelago off California in the U.S.A. Radiotracking and automatic infrared photography are enabling scientists to better study the behavior of this small predator. Night photographs show that a large proportion of predation takes place at night, and more precisely in the 2 or 3 hours following sunset or in the hours preceding sunrise. On the island of Santa Cruz, in 1998, observations made in April (wet season) and September (dry season) showed that foxes carried the following ectoparasites: Pulex irritans, Neotrichodectes mephitidis and ticks (Ixodes pacificus). The abundance of ectoparasites seems to vary with the season. Parasites (including ectoparasites) and microbes (e.g. Bartonella), which may be imported into the islands, are a threat to the species and are responsible for zoonoses. |
English (United Kingdom)