Fennec
Fox
These
furry little mammals are the smallest of all canines (canis is Latin for
"dog").
Fanak
is the Arabic word for "fox."
The
range of the Fennec Fox is from Northern Africa, across the Sahara, the Sinai
Peninsula and Arabia.
Very
large ears on a very diminutive head and a sharp, tiny muzzle give this little
dog a very distinctive look. Typical of a fox, the fennec has a very bushy tail
and thick, luxurious fur.
The
Fennec diet in the wild would consist of large insects like beetles and locusts,
small rodents, lizards and occasionally birds; some plant material, when
available, like berries and succulent leaves.
These
desert foxes are nocturnal, spending the heat of the day in the cool recesses of
the burrow. They exit after nightfall to hunt.
The
six-inch-long ears do aid in the funneling of the smallest sounds into the ears
and the fennec can hear large insects walking over sand. However, the size of
the ears, rather the external ear flaps, is mainly for the dissipation of
heat.
Fennec
feet are thickly furred between the pads, effectively insulating the feet from
the hot sand. The fur also muffles the fox's footfall, allowing greater stealth
when hunting.
Measurements:
Head to body length: 9-16
inches (24-41 cm)
Tail length: 7-12 inches (18-31cm)
Shoulder height: 8 inches (19-21 cm)
Ear length: 6 inches (15.24 cm)
Weight: 2-3.5lbs. (1-1.75 kg)
Habitat:
The fennec's native range is
dry and arid, stretching from the Sahara Desert in North Africa to the Arabian
Peninsula.. As burrowing animals, they are known to dig tunnels fifteen feet or
more in which two to five pups are reared. They are listed in CITES as Appendix
II - "Species not presently threatened, but may become so unless trade is
regulated.
Behavior:
Fennec Foxes are always
considered nocturnal. This may be so but they love to play in the warm sands and
sleep on top of objects warmed by the sun.. Fennecs are the most social of
foxes. They do not have musk glands, which may contribute to their inherent
friendliness. They are extremely agile and can dart to and fro among the dunes
at high speed, making quick changes of direction. The fennec fox survives by its
wit and powerful legs, having the ability to leap four times its body length and
disappear by diving into the sand. They can dig 20 feet in one night.
Diet in the Wild:
In the wild they feed on small
rodents, birds eggs, reptiles, insects, fruit, berries, and small mammals.
Plants are also an important part of their diet since they may be an important
source of water. A Fennec drinks water if available, but they can also survive
for long periods of time with only the water content from their food. Fennecs
conserve water by producing highly concentrated urine. They store excess food
underground.
Diet at Home:
Fennecs can be fed a diet of
mixed vegetables, insects such as mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers, fruit
and eggs. They can also be fed raw meat, though it may cause their urine to
develop a strong odor. Dog and cat food can also be given, though the dry Mazuri
Wild Canid Food (Made by Purina) is a much more complete diet. Though Fennecs
are able to go for a long time without water, it should be available to them at
all times.
Enclosures:
Fennecs are diggers, so make
sure that their enclosure is escape-proof. They can dig 20 ft. in one night.
This means that you should actually have some sort of barrier underground as
well, or they will just dig right under the fence. If you use a wire mesh make
sure that the holes aren't big enough for them to get through. They can fit
through chain-link fencing.
Training:
Fennecs are easily trainable
and keep their bodies very clean. They can be trained to a litter box. A litter
box that has a protective shield is recommended, as they can scatter the litter
all over. Clumping litter will sometimes adhere to the fur on their foot pads,
forming hard pieces that will have to be removed. Fennecs also have a habit of
dragging their food from a dish to their favorite spot in their enclosure. If
it's the litter pan they will probably ingest some of the litter with their
food. So if you're going to litter box train them, you should use a non-toxic
litter that will be safe for them to eat.
Fennecs can make great
walking companions if you are willing to train them to a leash. They should
never be taken outside without a leash (unless in a container), because they are
easily lost. Wild instincts are possible to modify, but the instinct to search
and hunt will over-ride their training and attachment for you and they will
scamper off in pursuit of a small, fast-moving creature without giving you a
second thought.
Exercise:
Fennecs need daily exercise
from the age of weaning. Their energy can be directed to chasing and retrieving
toys, going on walks, or being let loose in a play area. They love to dig, so if
kept inside you will need to provide some sort of digging area or other
distraction, or they will do it on your furniture.
Do Fennecs make good
pets?
Most fennecs are a wonderful
exotic pet. They are very friendly and can be enjoyed by the whole family -
especially if you have a lot of energy! Do remember that they are exotic animals
and can't be treated the same as any domestic animal.
Are they like a dog or
cat?
They are much like a
combination of a cat and a dog - the size of a cat, and sometimes the aloofness
of a cat, but the energy and playfulness of a dog. Some say that they are more
cat like in personality - Independant when they want to be and cuddly when they
want to be. Also, their agility, and the height they can jump is more akin to a
cat.
What kind of
personalities and habits do they have?
They are a ball of energy
15% of the time, snuggly 20% of the time, and sound asleep the rest. They do NOT
calm down with age! They do indulge in mutual grooming, or nonaggressive
nibbling. It's similar to what a dog does, it's with the front teeth and not
meant to break skin. In fact, this is what they do with each other in the wild,
it strengthens social bonds. Horses do this as well. Yes, sometimes it's
uncomfortable, they may nibble your knuckles while you scratch them, but it's
actually a good thing social-wise. It means you're accepted.
