Vulpes vulpes necator

Based on genetic data, Sacks et al. (2010) expanded the scope of this subspecies. They indicated that the Sacramento Valley red fox population (named as a new subspecies V. v. patwini) is native to California and closely related to the Sierra Nevada red fox (V. v. necator).

This species is limited to three relatively small, disjunct ranges in Oregon and California. The population size is small with only a few hundred individuals estimated. The historical range extent and abundance has declined by at least 50%. It is threatened by climate change eliminating appropriate habitat, and negative impacts from development, recreation, non-native red foxes, poisoning, and other factors.

This subspecies is found in the Southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains of Oregon and California, United States. The current range is fragmented into three disjunct areas. The northernmost population occurs from Fort Hood National Forest south to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon (Sacks et al. 2010, Hiller et al. 2015, Green et al. 2023). A second population occurs in the vicinity of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest east of Redding, California (Statham et al. 2012, Green et al. 2023). A third and southernmost population occurs from just south of California State Highway 88 to a few miles north of Kings Canyon National Park in east-central California (Perrine et al. 2010, Hatfield et al 2021, Green et al. 2023). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records from 2000-2025 and extant NatureServe (2025) occurrence records, range extent is estimated to be 131,543 km² (RARECAT 2025).

The typical elevational range extends from as low as 1,180 meters in Yosemite Valley to as high as 3,630 meters in the southern Sierra Nevada (Grinnell et al. 1937, Gould 1978, Biosystems Analysis 1989, Schempf and White 1977). This fox seldom has been detected below 1,500 meters and is most often observed above 2,100 meters (Perrine et al. 2010, Green et al. 2023).

This subspecies is represented by three main populations (Green et al. 2023, USFWS 2023). Genetic analysis indicates the Oregon Cascades population is split by U.S. 20 with little gene flow (Quinn et al. 2017). Because red foxes are highly mobile, distinct occurrences encompass large areas separated by large gaps. Hence, occurrences are large but few.

Foxes are increasingly utilizing recreation areas and taking advantage of easy to procure food sources (USFWS 2023). This increases exposure to multiple threats including vehicle strikes, contact with domestic pets and non-native red foxes, and contact with rodenticides (Perrine 2010, USFWS 2023). There is concern that contact with non-native red foxes could result in loss of genetic integrity and increased exposure to disease (Perrine et al. 2010, Cross et al. 2018, USFWS 2023). Domestic pets also represent a potential vector for disease (Perrine et al. 2010, USFWS 2023). While genetic introgression with domestic dogs is a potential threat, genetic testing has not found any genetic introgression thus far (Statham et al. 2012, Hiller et al. 2015). Vehicle strikes is a concern, especially for individuals that wander outside the typical range and become exposed to more developed areas (Perrine 2010, USFWS 2023). A warming climate is another serious threat as optimal habitat with adequate snow cover in colder months will effectively shrink over time (Perrine 2010, Green et al. 2023, USFWS 2023). Another potential threat is poisoning from eating disease-carrying fish that were stocked for recreational fisheries (Perrine et al. 2010).