One of the most exciting (and adorable) parts of traveling is seeing the local wildlife. Wild animals can be as entertaining as any show or as breathtaking as any scenic view, whether they're massive predators or minuscule insects. But if you asked traveler and van life enthusiast @jamespuente_ about the tiny animals he saw on January 8, he'd say they were both!

James got the sweetest close-up view of one of the smallest fox species in the world while visiting one of California's most underrated National Parks. These foxes are found only on a small chain of eight islands off the coast of California, and even though they weigh just a few pounds, their presence is larger than life. Even when curling up for a nap, these foxes could put anyone under their spell!

It doesn't get any cuter than that! This unique little fox could've been mistaken for a puppy while napping so sweetly, but it's actually an island fox. As James shared, even though these are among the smallest fox species in the world, they're actually the largest land mammals on the Channel Islands.

"Oh, to be a little fox sleeping all cozy with the sun as a blanket," commented @princess0kitty. Doesn't it look so comfy? Watching this adorable wild animal settle down for a nap may seem mundane, but it could put almost anyone at ease.

@Matchaalerts agreed that this wildlife encounter is "So cool." They asked, "Are they habituated to being near humans, or was this taken with a really long zoom lens?" It turns out it's a bit of both!

James confirmed that even though the foxes seemed to mind their own business, they were more than comfortable being close to the people in the campground. Even though others have likely fed them before, which led to them becoming so comfortable, feeding wild animals is never ideal.

California's Island Fox

Island foxes may be everywhere on six of the eight Channel Islands, located off the Los Angeles coast, but they can't be found anywhere else in the world. That being said, the islands are filled with these curious critters!

"OMG, the foxes on the Channel Islands were one of my favorite parts," agreed @jupiterscompass. "They’re so cute!"

The National Park Service explains that because the island fox can't be found anywhere else, this population is technically considered a subspecies of the gray fox. In the 1990s, the number of island foxes began to decline dramatically due to the presence of golden eagles, and by 2004, they were considered an endangered species. Today, however, the population has recovered beautifully, and foxes can be seen all over the Channel Islands.