Fennec Fox

Range:
Sahara region of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

Habitat:
Arid desert regions

Size:
Body Length: 14-16 in; Tail Length: 8in; Weight: 3.3 lbs

Young:
2-5

Gestation:
50-51 days

Diet (wild):Plants, small rodents, birds, eggs, lizards, and insects.

Diet (zoo):
Carnivore diet, kibble, worms, fruits and vegetables, and vitamin supplements.

Lifespan:
About 8 years in wild; 10 - 12 years in captivity

Status:
This species is not currently listed as endangered, but trade is regulated in some countries. Fennecs are intensively hunted by native Saharan people and have become rare in some parts of northwest Africa Protected under CITES

Threats:
Hunting by humans

Anatomy/Physiology:
Small canid with a sandy color coat, which provides camouflage and protection from cold desert nights. Huge ears that are used to radiate heat from the body and keep the Fennec cool. Its feet have hairy soles to protect them from the hot sand.

Social/Family units:
Social animals and may share an extensive burrow system with up to 12 other individuals.

Habits:
Males mark territory with urine. They also may store surplus food in a burrow and dig it up later to eat.

Communication:
High pitched yelp, low quite growl.

Defensive/Aggressive behavior:
Fierce predators; may hide in burrows to escape predators

Prey items:
Plants, small rodents, birds, eggs, lizards, and insects, can also take down larger mammals such as gerbils and desert hares.

Predators:
Vultures, hyenas, and jackals.

Locomotion:
Quadruped with feet adapted to walking on hot sand.

Activity:
Nocturnal hides from heat in sand burrows during the day.

Interesting story/facts:
It is the smallest of all foxes and has the largest relative ears. It also seems to be completely independent of the need to drink.