Earlier this month, a motion-activated camera in California’s Carrizo Plain National Monument recorded something extraordinary — a San Joaquin kit fox family playing together under the night sky.
When monument staff reviewed the footage, they were stunned. These elusive foxes, one of North America’s rarest mammals, are almost never caught on camera.
Weighing barely five pounds, San Joaquin kit foxes are the smallest fox species on the continent.
Native to Central California, they’re perfectly adapted for desert life, with oversized ears that help them stay cool and a diet that provides nearly all their water.
But their numbers have been declining for decades due to habitat loss, and they’ve been listed as endangered since 1967.
That’s why this sighting — and the adorable behavior it revealed — is so special.
“The Carrizo Plain is 250,000 acres,” said Philip Oviatt, public affairs officer for the Bureau of Land Management’s Central California District. “That’s a big playground for these kit foxes to thrive.”
In recent years, several fox families have made their homes near the monument’s visitor center, but because they’re nocturnal, they’re rarely seen. The trail cam footage offered a precious look at their private world.
In one clip, the tiny pups tumble around in the dirt, gleefully swatting at their mom’s tail. In another, they chase and wrestle each other under the moonlight — a rare peek into the tender, playful side of a species fighting for survival.
“Average litter size is around four pups,” said Carrizo Plain wildlife biologist Russell Namitz. “So to see six out there all on camera was really exciting.”
For the monument’s staff, who have dedicated years to protecting the fragile ecosystem, watching the young foxes thrive was deeply moving.
“Being out in the Carrizo for so many years, it was just so heartwarming to see these special animals playing and romping around the visitor center,” said monument manager Johna Hurl.
Beyond the cuteness, the footage also provides vital insight for conservationists studying how to support the species’ recovery.
“Observing these animals in their natural landscape gives researchers valuable information about their habits and how we can continue helping them,” Hurl said.
For now, the footage stands as a heartwarming reminder: even the most endangered creatures can find joy — and hope — when given the space to thrive.
