The San Joaquin Kit Fox: Biology, Ecology, and Conservation of an Endangered Species

The San Joaquin Kit Fox introduces readers to a small wild canid that occupies a prominent position in ongoing conservation battles. Native to central California, where land is in high demand for development purposes, the San Joaquin kit fox population has been significantly impacted by profound habitat loss. The species remains on the original US endangered species list issued in 1966, with dim prospects for recovery.

To guide the work of researchers and conservationists, Brian L. Cypher synthesizes the biological and ecological data collected to date on this species and documents both historical and contemporary efforts to protect it. He details the species’ evolutionary and taxonomic history, distribution and habitat preferences, mortality sources, and more. In doing so, he draws out the ever-changing relationship between San Joaquin kit foxes, people, and land use.

Richly illustrated and accessible, The San Joaquin Kit Fox is a necessary reference for students, researchers, and conservationists looking to better understand this charismatic creature and others like it in order to better secure the futures of these species.

Brian L. Cypher is a research ecologist with the Endangered Species Recovery Program at California State University--Stanislaus. He is the coeditor of Urban Carnivores.