This is one of the smallest foxes in North America. A graceful and slender animal with large ears, its coat is grayish-yellow with rusty tones above and white underneath. The round bushy tail is black-tipped, and they have dark patches around their nose. Their large ears provide excellent hearing and thermo-regulation.
Generally carnivorous, they prey on kangaroo rats, pocket mice, rabbits, reptiles, berries, and insects. Kit fox are prey to coyotes, bobcats and eagles, and are endangered.
The kit fox is found only on the edges of the San Joaquin Valley from southern Kern County up to Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties on the west and up to Stanislaus County on the east. A few populations exist within the valley floor.
The average litter is 4 pups. They live in family groups: one male with two females and their offspring. The young leave the family in autumn to seek their own territory and mate.
