Ranch Animals

Fox Hunt
Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus
Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae

(First posted Spetember 2, 2008 Last updated September 2, 2008)

This grey fox was seen near the cabin. It walked up from the road near the dump, crossed over to the tubs, and jumped up on the rim of the tub with grace and control. After taking a few drinks, it trotted along the road toward the gate, in the direction of North Flat. It heard something to the left, listened for a bit, and hearing nothing, started to leave. In a few steps it heard something again, so it circled around to the high side of the sound.

Bill describes the hunt: "Notice the third to last pic- he assumed that position there, and after a period of swiveling and cocking his ears, stood stock-still, bowed & coiled, for quite some time.  Then one dive, nose first, and he was done. I inspected the spot.  A few inches downhill from the board was a small hole entrance."

It caught what appears to be a woodrat.

 

Links:

Grey foxes in Yosemite
California Wildlife