[CINC] foxes in natgeo

[Paul Jr. Petrich]

Judy and other fox fans, As a volunteer for two weeks during two summers in 1980s I helped the TNC on Santa Cruz Island build barbwire fences to corral the feral sheep. We stayed a week at a time and travelled all over the TNC's part of the island. Mr. Stanton was still alive and running his island business concern from the main ranch, so we lived in the outlying cabin.  I can honestly testify that our many, many encounters with our friendly foxes, both in the field and around our cabin, was every bit as friendly as they are today. Actually, the characteristic is not friendliness, so much as obliviousness to us, just as today, with no effort to hide. And the numbers are only now getting to what we then encountered. Also, as I recall, way back in 1963 while stationed on San Nicholas Island for two weeks with the Marines, this amazing "not so sly" trait was shown by the few we saw, totally amazing us.  Over and out, Paul  

From: judyw88 at hotmail.com
To: channel_islands_naturalist_corps at rain.org
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 18:28:47 -0800
Subject: [CINC] foxes in natgeo








The March National Geographic magazine has an interesting article on how animals become pets.  Off 100s of domesticated animals, only a few have become pets to humans most are livestock, the tendency to befriend humans (another species) is genetic.  We have been told that the Channel Islands foxes were considered pets by the Chumash, lived among them and transported in their tomols.  I think the island foxes have become more friendly since their release.  Dogs and foxes are related but dogs descended from wolves.  Also, NPR.org has an interview with the author of the article.   
 		 	   		  

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