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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
fennec
fox |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Mammalia |
| ORDER: |
Carnivora |
| FAMILY: |
Canidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Vulpes
(fox) zerda (Arabic for fennec, meaning small
fox); former genus species: Fennecus (small
fox) zerda |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
fennec is the smallest of the foxes with enormous
ears, a tiny face, and a pointed snout. The fennec
fox is cream in color with a long (3/4 of the head
and body length) black-tipped tail. |
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| SIZE: |
Head
and body 35-40 cm (14-16 in) long; tail 20 cm (8
in); height at the shoulders 20 cm (8 in) |
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| WEIGHT: |
1.36-1.6
kg (3-3.5 lbs.) |
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| DIET: |
Mostly
carnivorous; includes insects, snails, lizards,
rodents, birds, eggs, and plant matter (fruits and
berries) |
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| GESTATION: |
Gestation
lasts approximately about 50 days |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
6-10 months |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Averages
10-12 years |
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| RANGE: |
Northern
Africa, throughout the Sahara Desert, East to the
Sinai Peninsula and Arabia |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
desert and semi-desert |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Density
Dependent |
| CITES |
Appendix
II |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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|
| 1. |
Fennec foxes have extraordinary hearing to locate
prey that may be underground. |
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| 2. |
Their large ears, which are usually 4-6 inches long,
help to dissipate excess body heat on hot days in
the desert. |
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| 3. |
The fennec fox seems to be the only carnivore living
in the Sahara Desert able to live well without free
water. Their kidneys are adapted to restrict water
loss, their extensive burrowing may cause the formation
of dew, which can then be consumed, and they will
receive moisture from the food that they eat. In
addition, their burrowing and nocturnal lifestyle
helps to restrict water loss. However, they will
drink if water is available. |
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| 4. |
The
fennec fox can have two litters per year if the
first litter is lost and the food supply is plentiful.
This is very unusual among the canids. Normally
2-5 young are born per litter. |
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| 5. |
Their
thick fur helps to insulate them from the cold desert
nights. Their sandy coloration helps to reflect
heat, and also provides excellent camouflage. Fennec
foxes also have thick fur on the soles of their
feet, which insulate against the hot sand of the
desert. This extra fur on the soles of their feet
also afford them excellent traction in the loose
sand.
During the day, they stay cool within the underground
burrows they are so adept at creating. Thus their
nocturnal behavior. |
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| Unfortunately,
as with most living species, fennec fox populations
are at risk. They are not only suffering from loss
of habitat, but they are also largely hunted by
the people of the Sahara, making them become rare
in parts of Northwestern Africa. However, they are
of no threat to people and their livestock. In fact,
fennec foxes are important small hunters helping
to control the populations of several pests, including
rodents and locusts. The over-population of rodents
poses a direct threat to the environment and agricultural
crops. Consequently, fennec foxes, and other small
carnivores are extremely important to the balance
of many ecosystems. |
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|
|
Alden, P., Estes, R., Schlitter, D., McBride B.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to African
Wildlife. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1995. |
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Macdonald, D. The Encyclopedia of Mammals.
New York: Barnes and Noble, 1999. |
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Nowak, R. Walker's Mammals of the World.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Vol.2.
Fifth Edition., 1991.
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