Page 17 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, May 2021

14 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
May 2021
News ALWAYS FREE ACCESS!

Desert Kit Foxes Awareness Frequent Updates — Breaking News — Local • Regional • National

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — As the sun sets on the creosote entrances to escape through. Additionally, kit foxes will often
scrubland of the desert, a lucky hiker might see two triangular switch between multiple burrows to keep the coyotes guessing.
ears pop out of a burrow. e lower temperatures at night bring While the desert kit fox is not currently listed as threatened
out the desert kit fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) to begin the or endangered, threats of habitat degradation, fragmentation,
hunt for kangaroo rats and invertebrates. Even the occasional and disease do pose risks to this species. O -road vehicles can
black-tailed jackrabbit, lizard, snake or, bird may end up on collapse burrows, dense stands of invasive plant species can
the menu. ese keen hunters are the smallest canine species reduce visibility while hunting, and expanding human settle-
in North America and use their stealth and speed to capture ments fragment their habitat. Since these small carnivores like
prey, which they then bring back to their subterranean burrows to move from one burrow to the next to safely hunt during the
to consume. night, it is especially important that their habitat remains in
Hunting and navigating in the dark might sound di cult, tact. Canine distemper, a disease that a ects domestic dogs and
but this canine species has a few tricks up its sleeve. eir large many other species, may take a toll on kit fox populations in the
ears allow them to hear the faint sounds of a rodent rustling future. Outbreaks of distemper have already been documented
beneath a creosote bush, while scent-marking locations with to reduce kit fox populations throughout the Mojave desert. a wildlife concern, you can reach the on-call wildlife biologist
urine allows them to safely navigate through the dim light. Yes, these may be one of the desert’s most adorable inhab- directly by calling 619-288-8883. If you have any questions
Coyotes are not only a potential predator to kit foxes, but itants, but please remember that they are wild animals. For about the environmental department, the DPW front desk can
they are also a competitor. ese two canine species have very both your saftey and theirs, do not approach or feed kit foxes.
similar diets of small rodents and other animals. Kit foxes protect Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one, and simply admire be contacted during regular business hours at 760-380-5044.
themselves from coyotes with their specially-designed burrows. from afar. Any issues pertaining to domesticated pets should be directed to
eir burrows have characteristically small oval-shaped open- e Fort Irwin Directorate of Public Works (DPW) has the Animal Control Facility 760-380-8564. To request insect,
nings. e tunnel often turns sharply a short distance to prevent wildlife biologists on sta who are trained to safely manage rodent, or dead animal removal, contact High Desert Support
the intrution of larger animals, and there are often multiple wild animals creating a safety hazard or nuisance. If you have Services at 760-380-3539.
DENTAC NCO of the Year

Congratulations to Cpl. Larry Lowe, Jr., the Dental Clinic #1 NCOIC, for winning Dental Photos by SPC Velasquez/ JBSA & Nichole Riley/ RHC-C PAO
Health Command- Central’s Region NCO of the Year competition!

Your one-stop source of news and information for

military, defense industry and aerospace professionals as

well as aerospace enthusiasts, and military veterans.

educated professionals with stable incomes.

Phone: 661-945-5634 • Toll free: 877-247-9288 • www.thinkmilitaryads.com

www.aerotechnews.com • www.facebook.com/AerotechNewsandReview

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin