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| Impacts of domestic dog cues on gray fox behaviors in the Santa Monica Mountains |
| Madeleine E. Zuercher1, Debra M. Shier1,2, Gregory F. Grether1. 1University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 2San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, United States |
In the Santa Monica Mountains of southern California, gray foxes (Canidae: Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are impacted by human activity, including the introduction of domestic dogs (Canidae: Canis familiaris). While dog presence in parks is limited to daytime, their cues may affect native foxes even after they leave. Both species urine-mark territorially, so foxes may be impacted by dog scent. Gray foxes did not evolve with dogs present and consequently may not behave adaptively to their cues. While foxes living in parks that allow dogs may have learned responses to their cues after repeated exposure, foxes that have minimal contact with dogs do not have the same opportunity. We conducted an experiment 1) to determine how dog cues affect the behaviors of foxes and 2) to evaluate if foxes habituate to dog cues. From August 2022 through March 2024, we set camera traps at sites with high and minimal dog activity. We experimentally introduced a dog urine cue and a control (water), then analyzed behaviors. We present preliminary findings on fox responses to dog scent and the potential for behavioral plasticity, both of which have interesting implications for human-wildlife conflict. |