ResourcesTesting habitat models for the endemic Sacramento Valley red fox (Vulpes vulpes patwin)
Project:
This research is currently led by Masters student, Kathleen Miles, of the Mammal Ecology and Conservation Unit at University of California, Davis in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Sacramento Valley red fox (Vulpes vulpes patwin) is a unique subspecies of red fox native to the northern portion of California’s Central Valley. Our research aims to better understand the ecology of this subspecies by investigating its habitat use, diet, and relationships with nonnative red foxes, gray foxes, and coyotes. We are using remote camera surveys and noninvasive genetic analysis of hair and scat samples to assess occupancy for each species among sites randomly selected from within several strata corresponding to two predictive habitat models. We will also combine habitat use data with fecal dietary analysis to explore niche overlap among these three species.
Researchers:
Ben Sacks – University of California, Davis, USA
Kathleen Miles – University of California, Davis, USA
