Sierra Nevada red fox
Encyclopedia
The Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), also known as the High Sierra fox is a subspecies of red fox
and one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Until recently, only a few dozen were known to exist in a remnant population near Lassen Volcanic National Park
. Then, in August, 2010, a handful were discovered fortuitously by motion sensitive cameras near Sonora Pass
set up to detect rare Fisher
(Martes pennanti) and Marten
(Martes americana). These Sierra Nevada red foxes were photographed in the central Sierra Nevada, more than 200 miles away from Lassen Peak
, and genetic analysis of saliva from bites on a bait bag was compared to museum specimens from prior to 1926, confirming their identity. They have not been seen in the Sonora Pass
area since 1925. The State of California banned trapping of the Sierra Nevada red fox in 1980, after annual pelt takes had dwindled to 2 per year by the 1970s. It is considered to be critically endangered by the California Department of Fish and Game
. On April 26, 2011, the Center for Biological Diversity
petitioned the federal government to protect the High Sierra fox under the Endangered Species Act
. One serious threat to the Sierra Nevada red fox would be interbreeding with non-native red foxes which have been introduced into California's (Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area and southern California) from America's eastern and midwestern populations.
es (Vulpes vulpes) are distributed worldwide and in virtually all habitats, however there are three subalpine subspecies whose range is restricted to alpine and subalpine meadows and montane boreal forests, of which the Sierra Nevada red fox is one of the latter. In 1906 naturalist Frank Stephens described the High Sierra fox as occurring only above 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and was initially described at 9,500 feet in Whitney Meadows, Mt. Whitney. Its historical distribution was in California's southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Grinnell
stated that the Sierra Nevada red fox was "“restricted to the highest timbered peaks and ridges of the main Sierra Nevada,” not occurring below 4500 feet, and considered the Lassen Peak region to be a major population center. Perrine's study of Mt. Lassen using 144 baited motion-sensitive cameras from 1997-2002 found no foxes below 4520 feet as well. The Lassen foxes all had the same Mitochondrial DNA
(mtDNA) haplotype
, which was the most common haplotype among historic V. v. necator specimens and was rare in the exotic fox populations from California’s lowlands.
(Arctostaphylos nevadensis) berries as seasonally available. Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits, pikas
) were virtually absent from the foxes diet.
) on November 14, 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party
, the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada, left six of their eleven wagons because of difficulties getting the wagons over what would become Donner Pass
. Eighteen year old Moses Schallenberger spent the winter there watching over the wagons, surviving the impassably deep snows only by trapping High Sierra foxes for food. He lived on fox which he trapped on average of one every two days, until he was rescued by Canadian-American Dennis Martin at the end of February, 1845, who showed him how to construct proper snowshoes.
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
and one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Until recently, only a few dozen were known to exist in a remnant population near Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a United States National Park in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak; the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southern-most volcano in the Cascade Range...
. Then, in August, 2010, a handful were discovered fortuitously by motion sensitive cameras near Sonora Pass
Sonora Pass
Sonora Pass is the second-highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada, lower by 321 ft. than Tioga Pass to the south. State Route 108 traverses the pass.-Description:...
set up to detect rare Fisher
Fisher (animal)
The fisher is a medium-size mammal native to North America. It is a member of the mustelid family, commonly referred to as the weasel family. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American Marten...
(Martes pennanti) and Marten
American Marten
The American marten is a North American member of the family Mustelidae, sometimes referred to as the pine marten. The name "pine marten" is derived from the common but distinct Eurasian species of Martes...
(Martes americana). These Sierra Nevada red foxes were photographed in the central Sierra Nevada, more than 200 miles away from Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. It is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc which is an arc that stretches from northern California to southwestern British Columbia...
, and genetic analysis of saliva from bites on a bait bag was compared to museum specimens from prior to 1926, confirming their identity. They have not been seen in the Sonora Pass
Sonora Pass
Sonora Pass is the second-highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada, lower by 321 ft. than Tioga Pass to the south. State Route 108 traverses the pass.-Description:...
area since 1925. The State of California banned trapping of the Sierra Nevada red fox in 1980, after annual pelt takes had dwindled to 2 per year by the 1970s. It is considered to be critically endangered by the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
. On April 26, 2011, the Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity based in Tucson, Arizona, is a nonprofit membership organization with approximately 220,000 members and online activists, known for its work protecting endangered species through legal action and scientific petitions...
petitioned the federal government to protect the High Sierra fox under the Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
. One serious threat to the Sierra Nevada red fox would be interbreeding with non-native red foxes which have been introduced into California's (Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area and southern California) from America's eastern and midwestern populations.
Description
The Sierra Nevada red fox is distinguished from members of the introduced lowland population of red foxes by its slightly smaller size and darker colored fur, and by its limited geographical range above 4,500 feet. Red fox fur was sought after by trappers during the early part of last century because it was softer than California’s grey fox.Range
Red foxRed Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
es (Vulpes vulpes) are distributed worldwide and in virtually all habitats, however there are three subalpine subspecies whose range is restricted to alpine and subalpine meadows and montane boreal forests, of which the Sierra Nevada red fox is one of the latter. In 1906 naturalist Frank Stephens described the High Sierra fox as occurring only above 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and was initially described at 9,500 feet in Whitney Meadows, Mt. Whitney. Its historical distribution was in California's southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Grinnell
Joseph Grinnell
Joseph Grinnell was a field biologist and zoologist. He made extensive studies of the fauna of California, and is credited with introducing a method of recording precise field observations known as the Grinnell System...
stated that the Sierra Nevada red fox was "“restricted to the highest timbered peaks and ridges of the main Sierra Nevada,” not occurring below 4500 feet, and considered the Lassen Peak region to be a major population center. Perrine's study of Mt. Lassen using 144 baited motion-sensitive cameras from 1997-2002 found no foxes below 4520 feet as well. The Lassen foxes all had the same Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria, structures within eukaryotic cells that convert the chemical energy from food into a form that cells can use, adenosine triphosphate...
(mtDNA) haplotype
Haplotype
A haplotype in genetics is a combination of alleles at adjacent locations on the chromosome that are transmitted together...
, which was the most common haplotype among historic V. v. necator specimens and was rare in the exotic fox populations from California’s lowlands.
Diet
A 2005 study of the then remnant population surviving on Mt. Lassen found that the foxes are nocturnal hunters whose diet was predominantly mammals, especially rodents and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), supplemented by birds, insects and Pinemat manzanitaArctostaphylos nevadensis
Arctostaphylos nevadensis, with the common name Pinemat manzanita, is a species of manzanita.-Distribution:Arctostaphylos nevadensis is native to western North America from Washington to California, where it grows in the coniferous forests of the inland and coastal mountain ranges...
(Arctostaphylos nevadensis) berries as seasonally available. Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits, pikas
American Pika
The American pika , a diurnal species of pika, is found in the mountains of western North America, usually in boulder fields at or above the tree line. They are herbivorous, smaller relatives of rabbits and hares.-Description:...
) were virtually absent from the foxes diet.
History
Upon reaching Truckey's Lake (now Donner LakeDonner Lake
Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in northeast California on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and about northwest of the much larger Lake Tahoe. A moraine serves as a natural dam for the lake. The lake is located in the town of Truckee, sandwiched between Interstate 80 to the north and...
) on November 14, 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party
Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party consisted of ten families who migrated from Iowa to California prior to the Mexican-American War or the California Gold Rush. The Stephens Party is significant in California history because they were the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada during the...
, the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada, left six of their eleven wagons because of difficulties getting the wagons over what would become Donner Pass
Donner Pass
Donner Pass is a mountain pass in the northern Sierra Nevada, located above Donner Lake about nine miles west of Truckee, California. It has a steep approach from the east and a gradual approach from the west....
. Eighteen year old Moses Schallenberger spent the winter there watching over the wagons, surviving the impassably deep snows only by trapping High Sierra foxes for food. He lived on fox which he trapped on average of one every two days, until he was rescued by Canadian-American Dennis Martin at the end of February, 1845, who showed him how to construct proper snowshoes.