Urocyon littoralis

Island Foxes are restricted to the six largest of the eight California Channel Islands located off the coast of southern California, USA. There are six subspecies. These are the smallest of the North American foxes. The San Catalina Island Fox is the largest in size and has the longest tails. The San Catalina Island Fox became endangered after an escaped raccoon brought distemper to the island. The San Nicolas Island Fox is usually lighter in color than the other subspecies, has the longest legs, and the most number of vertebra in the tail. The San Miguel Island Fox is the second largest of the foxes and has the shortest tail. The Santa Rosa Island Fox has the longest ears The Santa Cruz Island Fox is the smallest in size. It also has the shortest legs. The San Clemente Island Fox is the last of the six subspecies. Three, the San Miguel Island Fox, the Santa Rosa Island Fox, and Santa Cruz Island Fox, were nearly brought to extinction by the predication of the Golden Eagle.

Gray Fox Skull on the left and Island Fox Skull on the right