It is our great pleasure to introduce the mascot of LAcon V: Fuzzy, the Channel Island fox.
Meet Fuzzy
Illustration by Teddy Harvia
The Channel Island fox is pure California: an animal unique to the coastal islands in the southern part of the state, whose habitat, once threatened to the point of extinction, is now thriving due to conservation. Fuzzy, the playful Channel Island fox depicted at right, exemplifies the spirit of California and joins us on our expedition to LAcon V in 2026 as our official convention mascot.
Artist Teddy Harvia has captured Fuzzy’s likeness so elegantly, yet so playfully, through many illustrations yet to be revealed by LAcon V. Fuzzy will join us throughout the next two years on all our adventures, all hand-drawn by Teddy.
Fuzzy has been named in honor of our friend and colleague, Marilyn “Fuzzy Pink” Niven, a long-time participant in Southern California and American science fiction fandom and the wife of celebrated author Larry Niven. Fuzzy Pink Niven passed away in December 2023, leaving behind a legacy of friendship and service to fandom that can never be replaced. We could think of no greater tribute to her than to bring her spirit along with us on our adventure, and we are very grateful to Larry for his blessing.
About The Channel Island Fox
The Santa Cruz Island fox; image courtesy The Nature Conservancy
The Channel Island fox is a small fox species native to six of the eight Channel Islands, the sparsely inhabited archipelago off the coast of Southern California; they are found nowhere else on Earth. The species descends from a population of the mainland gray fox that arrived on the islands around 7,300 years ago. Once listed as an endangered species, they became federally protected in 2004.
Some important facts about the island fox from the National Park Service can be found below, as well as links to organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Friends of the Island Fox who work diligently to preserve this wonderful California native species.
About Fuzzy Pink Niven (1940-2023)
Philip Jose Farmer, Larry Niven, and Fuzzy Pink at the St. Louiscon, the 1969 Worldcon.
Marilyn Joyce Wisowaty Niven was given the nickname “Fuzzy Pink” by her roommate at MIT in the 1960s, due to her affinity for fuzzy pink sweaters, and that’s what she was called thereafter by almost any fan who knew her. Active in MIT’s club MITSFS, she met future husband Larry Niven at NyCon3 in 1967 and married him in 1969.
Fuzzy Pink Niven joined the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) in 1968, remaining active for many decades, including as a Board of Directors member, even hosting many social events at the Nivens’ home. She was instrumental in creating the social side of Georgette Heyer fandom, as well as a skilled practitioner of many kinds of crafts, a fellow of NESFA, and a guest of honor at several events.
From 1985 until her passing in 2023, Fuzzy was a member of the Board of Directors of the Southern California Institute for Fan Interests (SCIFI) Inc., the parent organization of the 1984, 1996, 2006 and forthcoming 2026 Los Angeles Worldcons. She is dearly missed by all of us and her legacy will live on in Los Angeles fandom for years to come.
About Artist Teddy Harvia
Teddy Harvia is the pen name of David Thayer, an American science fiction illustrator who has won the prized Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist four times for his work, and who has been nominated an additional sixteen times for the award. A native of Oklahoma, he resides in Dallas, Texas, and has been involved in Southern science fiction fandom for many years. Find out all about Teddy and his incredible work at his website, teddyharvia.com.
Illustration by Teddy Harvia
Quick Facts about the Channel Island Fox
(from the National Park Service)
Channel Island foxes; photo from Friends of the Island Fox (photo credit: Kevin Schafer)
- It is the only carnivore unique to California.
- Although the island fox is one of the smallest canids in the world, it is the largest native terrestrial mammal on the islands, which include Santa Catalina Island, a very popular tourist destination, as well as the three largest islands in the Channel Islands National Park (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel) and two islands owned by the U.S. Navy (San Nicolas and San Clemente).
- The island fox is one-third smaller than its mainland ancestor, the gray fox. At 12 to 13 inches in height and 4 to 5 pounds, the island fox is about the size of a housecat.
- Some individuals have been known to live up to 15 years.
- Unlike nocturnal gray foxes, which hunt exclusively at night to avoid predators, island foxes have no natural predators, allowing them to be active during daylight hours with peaks in activity occurring at dusk and dawn.
- Visually, island foxes show signs of dominance or submission through facial expressions and body posture.
- They communicate by barking and sometimes growling.
- Their keen sense of smell plays an important role in the marking of territories. Island foxes are known to scent-mark their territories with a few drops of urine and tend to concentrate scats in particular areas, often conspicuously positioned on well-traveled paths.
Important Links
Illustration by Teddy Harvia
- National Park Service page on the Channel Island fox, including information on its conservation status.
- The Nature Conservancy page about the Santa Cruz Island fox, one of the protected Channel Island fox species.
- Friends of the Island Fox, nonprofit conservation organization.
- Wikipedia page for the Channel Island fox.
- Artist Teddy Harvia’s Website
- Obituary and tribute for Marilyn “Fuzzy Pink” Niven on File 770.
With special thanks to Teddy Harvia (for his wonderful illustrations, including many yet to be debuted), Mike Glyer (for consent to use material from his award winning journal File 770), Kim Marks Brown (for her help with approval), and Larry Niven (with love and support from SCIFI and LAcon V.)
