The island fox exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo is located next to the bald eagle display. This gentle canid has the unique ability among some foxes to climb trees. Foxes inhabit all areas of the islands including dunes, coastal bluffs, coastal sage and scrub, valley and foothill grassland, woodland, and coastal marsh. Island foxes eat a variety of plants and animals including mice, ground nesting birds, arthropods, lizards, and fruit including that of the sea-fig, Carpobrotus aequilaterus. The island fox is most active at sunrise and sunset.
Communication is auditory as well as visual, and olfactory.
The fox is docile, not fearful of humans, although they will growl and hiss when handled. Pairs form from January to March. Most breeding occurs from late February to March. May. Pups begin to leave the den between 3-4 weeks of age and at two months are out most of the day. Foraging continues with the parents through the end of the summer.