When Seeing Is Not Believing
by William C. Leikam
President, CEO & Co-founder, Urban Wildlife Research Project
The old adage “seeing is believing” is an English proverb that has been in use for many centuries. We humans use our eyes to navigate through life and people rely on it almost exclusively. When we want to know that something is true, we rely on our eyes, but not all animals do. The gray fox uses other senses to verify what’s true and what’s safe.
In my observations and documentation on gray fox behavior, I observed something what to me at the time was very odd. That morning I stood on the Adobe Loop Trail in the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and nearby was the feisty adult gray fox, Brownie. He was always on the alert for any fox that might trespass on his and his mate Helper’s territory.
That morning I documented many aspects of his behavior. I had just finished a note on my pad when I looked off about 100 feet along the trail and there popped from the brush along Matadero Creek, a gray fox. At about the same time Brownie saw it too. Instantly, he went into his usual defensive mode even as the fox approached. Brownie hiked his tail in that warning gesture that tells everyone around that he is ready to fight and defend his territory. In addition to hiking his tail, Brownie also did a dance sort of like tip-toing about before dashing off into battle. All the while this other fox drew closer and closer. Brownie was just about ready to charge when suddenly he stopped and relaxed, for the intruder coming at us from down the road was his mate, Helper.
More recently, Sunday, October 8, 2023, I noted in my Gray Fox Log that the female Big Eyes had stopped at just before marker #16. She saw Laimos but acted as if she wasn’t sure about who that fox might be. She was tense. She raised her nose and sniffed the air several times. She cautiously walked toward Laimos and when she got close enough to smell him, she relaxed and trotted to him. She gave him a fox kiss. He returned the favor – meaning in fox communication, “I’m glad, happy to see you.”
And one final example, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 — We came on down to camera #14 there at the date palm tree. While I dealt with the camera, I noticed that Laimos kept looking back down the road, back in the direction from where we’d been. I shined my light back along the road but there were no glowing eyes. I walked on. Laimos trotted past me and continued to the top of the ramp. He sat. I walked over to camera #11. Again I noticed Laimos looking back, his left ear trained along Pond Road, the other ear trained on me.
Suddenly, he trotted maybe 10 feet down the ramp. I thought it very odd behavior. He stopped and looked back toward me. Again I wondered if maybe Big Eyes was behind us. I shined my light back along Pond Road and there, maybe 20 feet along the road came glowing eyes. I looked down the ramp at Laimos. His full attention was on this approaching fox. It was clear to me that he did not recognized her. As she drew near, he put his nose in the air and sniffed. He relaxed and trotted back up the ramp, passed me and went over to her. They nuzzled, gave each other a fox kiss and then both came trotting past me down the ramp to the apron below.
So, in their realm, seeing is not believing, but hearing coupled with a nose sniffing odors is the means by which they put together information and manage their way through life.
And one final example, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 — We came on down to camera #14 there at the date palm tree. While I dealt with the camera, I noticed that Laimos kept looking back down the road, back in the direction from where we’d been. I shined my light back along the road but there were no glowing eyes. I walked on. Laimos trotted past me and continued to the top of the ramp. He sat. I walked over to camera #11. Again I noticed Laimos looking back, his left ear trained along Pond Road, the other ear trained on me.
Suddenly, he trotted maybe 10 feet down the ramp. I thought it very odd behavior. He stopped and looked back toward me. Again I wondered if maybe Big Eyes was behind us. I shined my light back along Pond Road and there, maybe 20 feet along the road came glowing eyes. I looked down the ramp at Laimos. His full attention was on this approaching fox. It was clear to me that he did not recognized her. As she drew near, he put his nose in the air and sniffed. He relaxed and trotted back up the ramp, passed me and went over to her. They nuzzled, gave each other a fox kiss and then both came trotting past me down the ramp to the apron below.
So, in their realm, seeing is not believing, but hearing coupled with a nose sniffing odors is the means by which they put together information and manage their way through life.
I. Gray Fox Population & General Health
As of this date, we have two adult gray foxes living in the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve.
These two foxes appear to be in good health. There is no indication in their scat that anything internal is breaking down. However, Laimos is laying down more than is usual. I wonder if he’s just getting old and tired.
II. UWRP News & Updates
First Baby Beaver Sighting in 160 Years!
Maybe you have recently seen us in the news? Bill’s discovery has generated a lot of excitement! Local newspapers such as the Palo Alto Weekly, the San Francisco Chronicle, the LA Times, and nationally syndicated outlets such as ABC-TV carried the story. Read more in our newsletter from earlier this month.
Today, Bill is the world’s leading authority on the gray fox. This book is an account of his experiences among the gray foxes of the Baylands, a tale of life and death, of growth and loss. Stay for a while and go exploring with the Fox Guy. Find it today at Barnes & Noble or DiAngelo Publications.
The ‘Triggered By Motion’ Experience
The UWRP is excited to present our newest video documentary featuring Bill Leikam’s participation in the global research project “Triggered By Motion”, a world-wide exhibit of citizen scientists from 21 locations using camera traps to learn about local urban wildlife. Join Bill on his journey between California and Zürich, Switzerland, as he experiences the breathtaking exhibition in person!
Read more about UWRP in the news:
III. UWRP Research Objectives
Within the permit that allows the Urban Wildlife Research Project to conduct its study of the behavior of the gray fox at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, the objectives covered area:
Monitoring of urban gray fox denning sites in Palo Alto Baylands: This is being accomplished during the period when the gray foxes use a den site. It is one of the prime locations for gathering most of the behavioral data of the litter and for adults alike.
Assessment of status and population trends of Baylands urban gray foxes: Since January 2019 a pair of resident gray foxes have claimed territory at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve.
Identification of habitat features that promote the presence of urban gray foxes: After considering this and talking with people who know how to restore habitats, we need to assess what kinds of plants, including the Alkaline Saltbush, would grow best along the edge of the saltwater channel and alongside the marsh. We need to grow a permanent habitat that contains the corridors and plant it as soon as possible. We’ll keep an eye on this as this is a critical link between the southern region of the Baylands and the northern region.
Assessment of reproductive success and identification of factors that promote successful reproduction: Open the pinch-point along Matadero Creek by developing thickets that link one area to another, instead of the present “islands”.
Identification and assessment of possible dispersal travel routes: Dispersal routes move between the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and the Shoreline region over in Mountain View. In a north-westerly direction the dispersal corridors run just behind the homes bordering the marshlands.
