Desert Kit Foxes -- really cute!

[Desert Cruiser]

A couple of years ago Linda (Iggy) and I used to go to several kit fox dens in the desert. We knew their location
from scouting around at night. The Kit fox generally has puppies that are full grown but still living at home the first
of August. We'd set up our camera gear and put flashes out on tripods next to the dens around dusk and wait. They
normally come out just as the sun is setting - giving them a reddish afterglow in the photos. They usually lay around
for a while to get woke up (just like people, only without the coffee) before they start hunting. This photo is of a
resident male that got used to us and would just pretty much ignore us. The inset photo-to show their teeth.



Right after the adults got up then it was time for the puppies to come out. This clan had 3 pups and they were very
playful. They are out most of the night and then head for their den before sunrise. They are nocturnal at least in this
area of the desert and it's very rare to see one out during the day. We spent a lot of time photographing these very interesting animals in the desert.

Don...

[mlv]

Great pics !!!

I can see how those needle like teeth would make short work of a kangaroo rat or other little rodent!

[Desert Cruiser]

Glad you like it mlv; Here's another one -- one of the pups just sticking his head out before sunset.



Don...

[reptilist]

Love the bottom shot....Yo quiero Taco Bell!

[Jim Hatt]

So THATS why the Military calls 'em "Foxholes"

[Desert Cruiser]

Glad you liked them Terry, we spent a lot of time with them and they do seem to be very inteligent, and also like I said cute!

Yep Jim that's a foxhole! And this one area still has a breeding population of foxes, we take scraps over to them about once every couple of months. So that they don't get to friendly or used to humans or used to us feeding them. We just stop by to say hello. I have 100's of photos of them. You know I even have some shots of them (2 of them) killing a sidewinder at night. Didn't know they ate them but they do.

Don...

[yuccahead]

Very nice photos Desert Cruiser. Love the kit fox.
I've only had a couple of encounters with a kit. Once my wife and I were camped at the Trona Pinnacles sleeping on cots and heard some noises amongst our gear. I knew everything was secure but I grabbed the flashlight and shone it right on to a kit staring back at me.
They're very curious but shy creatures.

[Desert Cruiser]

Yuccahead: They are curious, and shy, but they get over the shy part pretty fast and get used you if you don't present a danger to them. Talking to them a lot seems to help. We've always been able to get up close and personal with most animals -- I think they can sense that we won't harm them. Buy the way they love hot dogs!

Don....

[Sandman]

Those are some very cool pictures.

[Desert Cruiser]

Sandman: Thanks for the compliment, glad you liked them.

Don...