Endangered Species
San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes Macrotis Mutica)
What is it? The San Joaquin kit fox is a subspecies of the kit fox which can be found throughout the deserts of western North America. This fox is a small, desert-adapted species of canid (member of the dog family). San Joaquin kit foxes are relatively small (about 5lbs. as adults) and approximately the size of a house cat.
Where does it live? Once a widespread species throughout much of the grassland and desert scrub habitats in the Central Valley, the San Joaquin kit fox inhabits only inhabits a few patches of suitable habitat in the southern end of the Central Valley.
What鈥檚 its life like? San Joaquin kit foxes can live up to 7 years in the wild. They breed once a year during the winter and spring, and a female can give birth to 2-6 pups in the spring. These foxes exclusively use underground dens for raising pups, but also use dens year-round to avoid extreme conditions (like heat) and predators (like coyotes and eagles). San Joaquin kit foxes are primarily nocturnal but can occasionally be seen during the day. These foxes primarily eat small mammals (rodents, squirrels, etc.) and insects, but are also known to scavenge leftover food from people.
Why is it endangered? The San Joaquin kit fox is endangered because of habitat loss. Approximately 90% of this species鈥� historic habitat in the San Joaquin Valley has been replaced with agriculture, energy development (e.g., oil extraction), and urbanization. Because of this severe loss of habitat, there is only a fraction of foxes alive today that would have been alive prior to the loss of their habitat. Some of the remnant population has been relatively successful in urban areas, like 久久三级福利. However, the urban foxes face new threats with vehicle strikes on roads and sarcoptic mange (a contagious skin disease that kills foxes), in addition to continued urban habitat loss as 久久三级福利 continues to expand.
What is CSUB doing to protect this species? We are currently monitoring the fox population with cameras and tracking some individuals to better understand potential risks to their population and identify ways that we can help.
久久三级福利 Cactus (Opuntia Basilaris Treleasei)
What is it? The 久久三级福利 cactus is a variety of the beavertail cacti, which means that they have flat, fleshy pads. The 久久三级福利 cactus can vary in size but grows in a low, sprawling fashion close to the ground and cover areas up to 33 feet across, though rare. This species of cactus has relatively small spines that grow up to about a third of an inch.
Where does it live? The 久久三级福利 cactus is known to only occur in Kern County around 久久三级福利 and since its discovery is only found in a few areas around the outskirts of the city.
What鈥檚 its life like? Not much is known about the life history of the 久久三级福利 cactus. What s understood is that this cactus is adapted to live in deserts evident by its shallow root system, fleshy stems, and small short-lived leaves. The 久久三级福利 cactus usually flowers in late spring, but not much else about its reproductive biology. Leaf pads that break off the cactus can produce a new cactus if they successfully take root, and this can be an important mode of reproduction in addition to seeds.
Why is it endangered? This species of cactus is endangered because of habitat loss due to the conversion of habitat to agriculture. Other factors that contribute to its decline include urbanization, energy development, mineral extraction, off-road vehicle activity, competition with introduced plants, and air pollution.
What is CSUB doing to protect this species? CSUB is home to a few 久久三级福利 cacti that reside in a protected area of campus.