| A substantial population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes exists in the City of Bakersfield and is critical to conservation and recovery. We investigated parental care among these urban kit foxes. We quantified relative time contributions of adults, tasks performed, and changes in behavior over time through focal observation sessions. To determine role, we used behaviors and genetic analyses to classify adults into categories: Mother, Father, or Helper. To monitor behavioral changes over time, we split the breeding season into periods: Preparturition, Nursing, and Weaned. We monitored four family groups in Bakersfield during the 2011 and 2012 breeding seasons. We found that Mothers spend significantly more time at the den than either Fathers or Helpers. Fathers provision the same amount as Mothers, whereas Helpers provisioned significantly less than either Mothers or Fathers. Mothers primarily groomed young, provisioned, guarded, and performed den defense. Fathers primarily provisioned and provided den defense. Helpers mostly interacted with the pups through play, though on occasion provided care. Helpers do not significantly assist in rearing pups and Fathers are not as necessary to successful pup rearing. Mothers play an essential role in pup rearing and are necessary for successful reproduction in the urban environment. |