Foxes in RPV and Catalina Island By Yvetta Williams
Foxes in RPV and Catalina Island
By Yvetta Williams
The gray fox whose range goes from southern Ontario south to northern parts of Venezuela and Columbia can climb trees. They are the only canine in North America that have such an ability. How do they do it? Gray foxes have powerful hind legs, semi-retractable claws, and strong forelegs. When they approach a tree that they wish to climb, they jump, grasping the tree with their forelegs, plant their hind legs onto the tree and they push with their hind legs. while at the same time grasping higher with their forelegs. They are able to do that because their claws are similar to a cats claws. Red fox living near Grey fox have learned to jump to the lower branches of a bush or tree, but not able to climb like a grey fox.
Foxes in California.
We are so fortunate to live in an area where there is still wildlife. I hope we all appreciate that and not try to kill them! Please don't poison gophers or other animals as the birds and other animals will eat the poisoned rat, mouse or other animal and die a painful death! These small animals are food for birds, cats, and other animals. Leave the balance of animals to nature.
At one time we had bears living here but they were all killed. We sill have grey fox and red fox in S. Calif. To me it is exciting to see these animals.
Did you know that the grey fox can climb trees? They are the only canine (dog like animal) that can climb a tree. They jump in a tree grasping the tree with their forelegs then put their hind legs on the tree and pushing with their hind legs and move up the tree. Here is a picture of a grey fox up a tree photographed by Daniel Peterson. He was walking his dogs on a moonlight night and he saw a fox. The dogs barked and scared the fox who went up the cactus stalk. He took the picture and then moved away with the dogs. The fox came down from the tall stalk when the dogs stopped barking and moved away.
This picture of a grey fox to the right was taken by Yvetta Williams several years ago in Miraleste. A beautiful animal. They have a varied diet of mice, birds, rats, insects and grasshoppers, moths, acorns, seeds, amphibians, reptiles, eggs, fruit, greens and also brush rabbits.
Red fox at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro
Young red fox at White Point nature preserve in San Pedro, Calif
Mom taking her young ones on walking trip to the beach from White Point Nature preserve.
Red fox family
Catalina kit fox on Catalina Island. The Catalina Island fox is found on Catalina Island and nowhere else in the world. An adult fox weighs just 4 to 6 pounds and is about 25% smaller than its mainland ancestor, the gray fox. Its diet includes mice, lizards, birds, berries, insects, and cactus fruit. It is Catalina's largest terrestrial predator.
Island foxes were brought to the southern Channel Islands of Santa Catalina, San Nicolas, and San Clemente by the Chumash native people who traded with the Gabrielino people.. The Chumash considered the fox to be a sacred animal. - For 10,000 years they have lived on the islands.
All of our native animals are special to our area. Please put out water for them and respect them. They have been in area longer than our residents and belong here.
Yvetta Williams
I have lived in San Pedro and RPV all my life. I went to Chadwick school when they had a school in Mrs. Chadwicks home, and then opened in Palos Verdes. Then went to Cabrillo Ave. School and Miraleste Elementary School, Dana Jr. High, San Pedro High and then UCLA Where I majored in Elementary Education and Recreation. I worked as a teacher and then as a playground director. My husband Dick Williams and I opened our own business in San Pedro. We had 3 stores, Mermaid's Dowry and Baskets aboard the Boat at Ports of Call Village. Then we opened a Shell, nautical and gift shop called THE SEA a museum like shop on Harbor Blvd. in San Pedro. I have always interested in nature and learned about our native plants animals, insects, shells, sea life, birds and nature around us. I volunteered at PVIC after we closed our stores. A wonderful area we live in and we must protect the nature and animals around us.