‘Secretive’ critter spotted taking a power nap before night of hunting, CA photo shows
Apparently March 13 was National Napping Day, and this “secretive” little critter in the California desert got the memo.
Joshua Tree National Park shared a photo of a napping gray fox “taking advantage” of the holiday to rest up before a long night of hunting.
“What does the fox say?... ‘Five more minutes, mom!’” officials shared in a post on Facebook.
“Gray foxes are common but secretive residents of Joshua Tree National Park,” officials said. “Their nocturnal lifestyle and shy nature means that they are only active after dusk and before dawn, and are rarely seen in the daytime.”
Gray foxes have adapted to the desert climate they call home, officials shared in the post. One adaptation is a rotating forearm, similar to both cats and bears, that makes the gray fox the only member of the canine family that’s able to climb trees, the post says.
They’re about the size of a cat at 7 to 12 pounds, and their rust-colored coats provide camouflage for hunting and hiding, the post says.
The foxes are also omnivorous, meaning they will eat anything from small mammals such as mice or rabbits to insects, fruits and nuts, allowing them to find enough food to survive in the desert.
“Resting and recharging when needed is a very important part of living a happy and health lifestyle,” the post says. “If you are still recovering from losing an hour of sleep to Daylight Savings Time, take a cue from this fox and catch up with a few quick Z’s!”
This story was originally published March 14, 2023 at 11:16 AM with the headline "‘Secretive’ critter spotted taking a power nap before night of hunting, CA photo shows."
