Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: San Diego's Big-Eared Baby Fox Causes Extreme Cute Aggression
Look at how cute this Fennec Fox kit is!
San Diego Zoo posted five photos of this little baby Fennec Fox on #whatitiswednesday, which is apparently when they post photos of an exotic animal and challenge readers to guess what it is. Anyone who spends their days trolling ZooBorns and working themselves up over adorable creatures knows that the Fennec Fox is right up there with the Red Panda and the Dik Dik.
Cute aggression is a real thing, and this creature is a prime candidate for causing it. According to researchers Oriana Aragon and Rebecca Dyer, there is a correlation between cute animals and the desire to squeeze them, Huffington Post reports. They say some people express feelings of helplessness when exposed to cute stimuli—as in something is so cute, they can't control themselves.
The Fennec Fox is the smallest fox in the world, and it's native to the Sahara in North Africa. It's big ears serve to cool the desert animal off, but are also very sensitive, National Geographic reports. It is an omnivore and primarily nocturnal. Whether or not it's actually a fox is up for debate. They don't always act like foxes—they're highly social, whereas foxes are traditionally loners. The Fennec Fox mates for life and in captivity, has a lifespan of 14 years.
Support for LAist comes from
Related: Photos: Check Out The Adorable Newborn Triplet 'Piglets' At The LA Zoo
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist