Fennecus zerda

Fennec fox(Fennecus zerdaor Vulpes zerda)

Phylumchordata
Class — mammalia
Order — carnivora
Family — canidae

Genus – vulpes

Appearance

The Fennec fox weighs about 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb), with a body length of between 24–41 cm (9–16 in); it is around 20.3 cm (8 in) tall. A Fennec fox has a bushy tail that measures 17–30 centimeters. The tail has a black tip and is 18–31 cm (7–12 in) long, while the ears can be between 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long.

The coat is often a cream color and fluffy, which deflects heat during the day and keeps the fox warm at night. The Fennec's characteristic ears are the largest among all foxes relative to body size, and serve to dissipate heat, as they have many blood vessels close to the skin. The ears of a Fennec are sensitive enough to hear prey that may be underground; the soles of its feet are protected from the hot desert sand by thick fur.

Habitat

Fennec foxes are found in the Sahara Desert and other semi-arid parts of North Africa. They inhabit areas from Morocco to Egypt, south to Sudan and north Niger, east to Kuwait and the Sinai Peninsula.

Behavior

Fennec foxes make dens beneath stable sand dunes. They dig a burrow to sleep in during the heat of the day. They prefer dunes with vegetation nearby. They are nocturnal, spending the day in its den, coming out in the cool of the night. In contrast to most foxes, which are solitary, this fox forms groups of about 10 members. Males are territorial, marking their boundaries with urine. They will become aggressive towards each other during the mating season.

Diet

This animal is an omnivore, eating mostly leaves, roots and fruits. They can also eat rodents, eggs, insects, and small reptiles. Fennec foxes can go for an indefinite period of time without water, as most of the water they need is provided by the plants and animals they eat.

Reproduction

The Fennec fox is monogamous and mates for life. The breeding season runs from January to February, females giving birth just once a year. The gestation period is about 50 days, and a litter of 2 to 4 kits is produced between March and April. Kits are weaned after 60 to 70 days. They start to hunt alongside their mother when they are old enough to do so. Sexual maturity is reached around 10 months.

Their lifespan is about 10 years in the wild and about 13 years in managed care.

In captivity

Fennecs are very active and need an outlet for their energy. They are curious and will get into anything and everything. They are also known for their digging. Outdoor enclosures must be designed to prevent them from digging under or climbing over the fence, both of which they will do quite readily.

Burying a significant portion of the fence and turning the fence in at the top (or completely covering the enclosure) should prevent escape. Don't skimp on materials, though, because these foxes can dig holes up to (or down to) 20 feet deep if they're feeling motivated.

In addition to a secure enclosure, they need relatively high temperatures; anything below 68 degrees Fahrenheit and you're likely to see your Fennec fox shivering.

Some owners have taught them to fetch like dogs, and this makes a good outlet for their energy. If kept in a yard that is not secured, however, they must be leashed. They are extremely quick and if they run after something as they would in the wild, they can be very difficult to recapture.

And even though Fennec foxes are nocturnal in the wild, one of their favorite activities is basking in the sun.

Fennec foxes generally should be kenneled when not supervised simply because they will get into everything; when supervised, they can be out in the home with their owners. Use a dog crate indoors; outdoor pens are fine as long as they are escape-proofed (ideally a pen with fence continued underground several feet and completely covered).

The ideal diet for pet Fennec foxes would probably be a commercial wild canid diet (such as zoos would feed), but most owners will feed a mix of dog food, cat food, vegetables, and fruit with good success.

Some breeders will alternatively recommend a diet of raw meat, vegetables, and a vitamin mix.

You will need to find a veterinarian willing to treat your Fennec foxes and they need preventative care similar to dogs. They should be routinely vaccinated for rabies (using only a killed vaccine such as Imrab), canine distemper virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Your vet should be able to recommend a safe combination vaccine for the standard canine diseases.

There is some concern over using the "typical" MLV vaccine for distemper in Fennec foxes, but there are vaccine lines available that are safe. A yearly exam is recommended, and your vet will advise you on deworming, heartworm preventative, and flea control, if necessary.

 

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