island fox

American  

[ahy-luhnd foks] / ˈaɪ lənd ˈfɒks /

noun

1. a fox, Urocyon littoralis, whose entire population lives on six of the eight Channel Islands of California, with each island population a subspecies distinct from those on the other islands: a third smaller than its ancestor the gray fox, the island fox is the largest mammal native to the Channel Islands yet is one of the world’s smallest canids.

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Etymology

Origin of island fox

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

It is also home to a lizard species found only on three of the Channel Islands; a spotted skunk that lives on just two Channel Islands; a unique island fox subspecies; and several uncommon birds.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Santa Rosa Island is also home to a lizard species found on three of the Channel Islands, a spotted skunk endemic to two Channel Islands, a unique island fox subspecies and several uncommon birds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Among the Channel Islands, Anacapa and Santa Barbara are the only islands that that are not habitats for the adorable island fox.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2023