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BUR Kit fox are nocturnal and require dens for temperature regulation, shelter from adverse weather, protection from predators, and pupping. Kit fox prefer gentle slopes of less than 10 degrees for dens; the requirement of gentle slopes for reproductive dens may limit population viability in slopes with greater topographic relief. They are likely to use more than one den; multiple den use is most prevalent during dispersal season (June through December). Kit fox are subject to competitive exclusion or predation by species such as the non-native red fox (Vulpes vulpes), coyote (Canis latrans), domestic dog (Canis familiaris), bobcat(Felis rufus), and large raptors. Although coyote may prey on kit fox, coyote and kit fox are not considered mutually exclusive'. Methodology Comprehensive evaluations of kit fox habitat and potential presence of kit fox were conducted on July 29 through August 1, 2003. Surveys were conducted using USFWS protoco14 and followed previously accepted time requirements5. Surveys were conducted by LFR wildlife biologists Mitch Siemens and Katherine Kobrin Prior to performing the surveys, LFR personnel conducted a search of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)6 for the U.S.G.S. 7.5 minute series Tracy topographic quadrangle for reports of kit fox in the Site vicinity and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) document: Federal Endangered and Threatened Species that may be affected by projects in San Joaquin County7. The overall habitat and presence of burrows was assessed by walking transects covering the entire 50-acre Site. Transects were separated by approximately 50-100 feet and allowed 100%visibility of ground surface at the site. Potential large mammal burrows were demarcated. Several burrows existed on the upper portions of steep sidewalls (approximately 40-60 feet above ground surface) and were precluded from the survey due to kit fox den requirements (Photograph #3). Three potential dens were found; each potential den was photo-documented and dusted with tracking medium (Photograph#4 and Figure 2). Potential dens were dusted for three consecutive nights and checked in the morning for tracks with the exception of kit fox den 3 (K3), which was observed to have ground 7 Cypher,B.L. and Spencer,K.A. 1998.Competitive Interactions between Coyotes and San Joaquin Kit Foxes.Journal of Mammalogy. 79(1):204-214. 4 USFWS. 1999. San Joaquin Kit Fox Survey Protocol for the Northern Range.June. S Zerrenner, A.2003.Conversation with Katherine Kobrin on approval by USFWS of a four day survey. s Department of Fish and Game,2000. State of California,The Resources Agency California Natural Diversity DataBase. Regional Map of California State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animals and Plants(April 2003 Data), 7 U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.2002e.http:llsacramento.fws.gov/es/spp_lists/coListActionPage.cfm. SJ Kt Fx Snry Rpt(dra82):L 3