Characteristics of dens used by radiocollared San Joaquin kit fox, Vulpes macrotis mutica, Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, Kern County, California

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5569048

Berry, W H; O'Farrell, T P; Kato, T T; McCue, P M

A total of 946 dens used by radiocollared San Joaquin kit foxes, Vulpes macrotis mutica, were observed on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 and surrounding lands in Kern County, California. Of these, 887 were typical subterranean dens located in 65 sections, and 59 were atypical dens in man-made structures located in 24 sections and in two pipe storage yards. Although the number of entrances to dens ranged between 1 and 17, most (90%) had six or fewer entrances and the average, which did not differ between developed and undeveloped habitats, was 3.4. Entrances were significantly higher than wide, and 53% had ramp-shaped dirt berms. Dens had an average slope angle of 16.1/sup 0/ and more were found on slopes than in flats. Fewer dens faced the northwest quadrant and more faced the southern quadrant than expected. Evidence of kit foxes (tracks, scats, or prey remains) was observed at 80% of the dens, but 11% were not associated with kit fox sign (matted vegetation or trails) even though they were occupied. Human disturbances, most frequently roads, were observed in the immediate vicinity of 78% of the dens. Most (93%) atypical dens were in metal pipes, three were in buried wooden culverts, and one was under a concrete slab. 27 refs., 7 figs., 10 tabs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Goleta, CA (USA). Santa Barbara Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-83NV10282
• OSTI ID: 5569048
• Report Number(s): EGG-10282-2177; ON: DE88003548
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
CALIFORNIA
COMPLIANCE
DISTRIBUTION
ENDANGERED SPECIES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FOXES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HABITAT
MAMMALS
MATHEMATICS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVE
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
REGULATIONS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SITE SELECTION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STATISTICS
USA
VERTEBRATES