fennec

Fennec Fox
A pair of Fennec Foxes
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Canidae
Genus:	Vulpes
Species:	V. zerda
Binomial name
Vulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780)
Natural range shown in red

The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small nocturnal fox found in the north of the Sahara Desert of North Africa which has distinctively large ears. Its name comes from the Arabic fenek, a term for various fur-bearing animals.^[2]

Description

The Fennec Fox weighs about 1.5–3.5 kg (3–8 lb) with a body length of between 24–30 cm (9–12 in), and are around 20.3 cm (8 in) tall.^[3] The tail is around three quarters of the head and body length with a black tip, and the ears can be 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long.^[4][5] The coats are often a cream color and fluffy, which deflects heat during the day and keeps them warm at night.^[3] Its characteristic ears are the largest among foxes relative to body size,^[3] and serve to dissipate heat as they have many blood vessels close to the skin.^[6] Its ears are sensitive enough to hear prey that may be underground.^[4] The soles of its feet are protected from the hot desert sand by thick fur, and they also burrow into the sand to stay cool during the day.^[3]

Diet

The Fennec Fox is a nocturnal omnivore. At night, it hunts rodents, insects, birds and eggs.^[4] They can jump up to 2 ft (61 cm) high and 4 ft (120 cm) forward, which helps them to catch prey and escape prediators.^[3] The hunting habit of large eared foxes such as the Fennec, or the Bat-eared Fox can include seeming to stare at the ground while it rotates their heads from side to side in order to pinpoint the location of the prey, either underground or hidden above ground.^[6]

They are adapted to live well without free water, with their kidneys having adapted to restrict water loss. Their burrowing can cause the formation of dew, and they also absorb water through food consumption. They will drink water if available.^[4]

Reproduction

Sexual maturity is reached at around nine months old. In the wild, Fennec Foxes usually mate between January and February to give birth in March and April, however in captivity most litters are born between March and July although births can occur year round.^[7] They breed generally only once each year.^[8] The copulation tie can last up to two hours and 45 minutes. Following mating, the male becomes very aggressive and protective of the female, providing her with food during her pregnancy and lactation periods.^[7]

	Fennec singing
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Gestation is usually between 50 to 52 days, although there have been 62 and 63 day gestation periods reported from Fennec Foxes in captivity. The typical litter is between 1 and 4 kits, with weaning taking place at around 61 to 70 days.^[7] When born, the kit's ears are folded over and their eyes are closed. At around 10 days their eyes open, and the ears lift soon afterwards.^[8]

The typical den is dug in sand, either in open areas or places sheltered by plants. In compacted soils, dens can be up to 120 square meters, with up to 15 different entrances. In some cases different families of Fennec Foxes can interconnect their dens, or located them close together. In soft, looser sand, dens tend to be simpler with only one entrance leading to a single chamber.^[7]

Population

The Fennec Fox is classified under CITES as an Appendix II species:^[9] species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but whose trade must be controlled to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.^[10] It is often hunted by humans, though it does not cause any direct harm to human interests, such as livestock.^[4] Like other foxes, it is prized for its fur by the indigenous people of the Sahara and Sinai.

Classification

There is debate among scientists as to whether the Fennec Fox belongs to the genus Vulpes (true foxes). It has uncharacteristic behaviors, such as packs called 'harems' while all other foxes are solitary. It also has only 32 chromosome pairs, while other foxes have 35 to 39. This has led to two conflicting classifications: Vulpes zerda, implying that the Fennec Fox is a true fox, and Fennecus zerda, implying that the Fennec Fox belongs to its own genus.

As pets

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Pet scratching an ear

The Fennec Fox is being bred commercially as an alternative house pet.^[5] Breeders tend to remove the young kits from the mother to hand-rear, as tamer and more handleable foxes make better pets and are therefore more valuable.^[8]

It is considered the only species of fox which can properly be kept as a pet. Although it cannot be considered domesticated, it can be kept in a domestic setting similar to dogs or cats. This is legal in the USA, Canada, Japan and other countries. In the United States and Canada there is a relatively established community of Fennec Fox owners and breeders.

Pet Fennec Foxes, being the most social among foxes, are usually very friendly towards strangers and other household pets. However, they are extremely active, and need outlets for their energy; they may exhaust other household pets with their playfulness. Moreover, instinctual behaviors, such as hiding caches of food in case of famine and attempting to burrow into furniture to build a nest, can also add to the difficulty of their care. Fennec Foxes are often not able to be housebroken, although a few owners have reported being able to litter-train their Fennec Foxes.

Pet explores a couch

Several factors make it important to ensure that a pet does not escape. Its speed and agility (they can jump four times their own body length), along with their natural chase instinct, creates the risk of a Fennec Fox slipping its harness or collar. Since it is also an adept digger (it can dig up to 20 feet (6.1 m) a night in its natural environment), outdoor pens and fences must be extended several feet below ground. Escaped Fennec Foxes are extremely difficult to recapture.

Any diet in a domestic setting should reflect their diet in the wild. Though omnivorous, a great deal of their diet consists of meat and protein sources like insects. Food sources commonly used include high quality meat-rich dog food, wild canine food brands, cat food, raw meats, insects, mealworms and custom dietary mixtures.

The legality of owning a Fennec Fox varies by jurisdiction, as with many exotic pets. Also, being considered an exotic animal, not all veterinarians can treat them.

A breeders registry has now been set up in order to avoid any problems with inbreeding.^[8]

Photographs

Asleep at Wilhelma Zoo, Germany.

Resting at Africa Alive in Lowestoft, England.

Close up of a fennec fox.

Notes

References

External links

Wikispecies has information related to: Vulpes zerda

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vulpes zerda

• About.com Exotic Pets - Entry on Fennec Fox