Earlier this month, researchers at Carrizo Plain National Monument were treated to something extraordinary — a trail camera captured rare nighttime footage of an endangered San Joaquin kit fox family, offering the world a glimpse into their tender and playful lives.

The Smallest Fox in North America

Weighing only about five pounds, the San Joaquin kit fox is the smallest fox species in North America. Native to Central California, these desert-adapted animals survive with minimal water intake, relying instead on food sources to keep them hydrated. Their oversized ears act as natural cooling systems, dispersing heat in the scorching sun.

Sadly, these unique foxes have been on the endangered species list since 1967, as habitat loss continues to shrink their numbers. Spotting them in the wild has become increasingly rare, making this footage an especially valuable — and heartwarming — moment.

A Safe Haven in the Carrizo

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has worked for decades to preserve the Carrizo Plain’s fragile ecosystem, offering the foxes a safe space to recover and thrive.

“The Carrizo Plain is 250,000 acres,” said Philip Oviatt, BLM Central California District’s public affairs officer. “So that’s a big playground for these kit foxes to thrive.”

Over the past few years, several families have settled near the monument’s visitor center. But because the foxes are nocturnal, human sightings are rare. That’s why the trail cam footage, taken under the cover of darkness, is such a valuable scientific and emotional find.

Playtime Under the Stars

The videos reveal the lighter side of the foxes’ secretive lives. In one clip, a group of pups can be seen tumbling through the brush, scampering around with reckless joy. At one point, the cubs even pounced playfully on their mother’s tail, tugging and batting at it as if it were a toy.

Another video captured the kits roughhousing together, piling on their patient parent in a chaotic but adorable display of family bonding.

A Larger-Than-Usual Family

For wildlife biologists, one detail in the footage stood out immediately: the unusually large litter size.

“Average litter size is around four pups, so to see six out there all on camera was really exciting,” said Russell Namitz, Carrizo Plain National Monument wildlife biologist.

The videos not only confirm the foxes are successfully breeding but also offer hope that the species may be taking small steps toward recovery.

Why It Matters

For the staff at Carrizo Plain, the videos were more than just cute clips — they were proof that conservation efforts are paying off.

“Being out in the Carrizo for so many years, it was just so heartwarming to see these special animals just playing and romping around the visitor center,” said Johna Hurl, Carrizo Plain National Monument manager.

Beyond the emotional impact, the footage also provides scientists with critical data about the foxes’ habits, reproduction, and social behaviors.

“Studying the animals in that large landscape gives researchers some important information on conservation, their habits and what we can do to continue the recovery of the species,” Hurl explained.

A Rare Glimpse Into the Future

The San Joaquin kit fox may be one of North America’s most elusive animals, but thanks to conservation, technology, and a little luck, the world now has a rare and precious window into their lives.

Watching the cubs play is more than heartwarming — it’s a reminder that with enough care and protection, endangered species like these foxes can have a fighting chance.

For now, the little ones continue to grow under their parents’ watchful eyes, tails to chase and a vast plain to explore.