THE INFLUENCE OF MESOCARNIVORES ON SAN JOAQUIN KIT FOX ACTIVITY AT ARTIFICIAL DENS IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT | |||
| Alyse D Gabaldon; California State University, Bakersfield; agabaldon1@csub.edu; Lucas K. Hall | |||
Habitat loss has detrimental impacts on wildlife and is steadily increasing. The San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), an endangered canid endemic to the San Joaquin Valley, is one of many species impacted by habitat loss. Despite urbanization being a cause for habitat loss, San Joaquin kit foxes have been successful in the novel, urban environment of Bakersfield, CA. However, suitable denning habitat in the urban environment is becoming increasingly limited as urban development continues. The reduction in suitable denning habitat could result in kit foxes utilizing similar resources as other species in Bakersfield (e.g., striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), domestic cats (Felis catus)). While coexistence between domestic and wild carnivores can occur, it introduces the potential for increased competition and predation. With the reduction of suitable denning habitat, kit foxes are facing an additional challenge of competing with other urban carnivores for space. This study aims to determine if the activity other species at the artificial dens influences San Joaquin kit fox activity. | |||
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