Fennec Fox( Vulpes Zerda)
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
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
FAST FACTS
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.
SIZE: Head and body 35-40 cm (14-16 in) long; tail 20 cm (8 in);
height at the shoulders 20 cm (8 in)
WEIGHT: 1.36-1.6 kg (3-3.5 lbs.)
DIET: Mostly carnivorous; includes insects, snails, lizards, rodents,
birds, eggs, and plant matter (fruits and berries)
GESTATION: Gestation lasts approximately about 50 days
SEXUAL MATURITY: Approximately 6-10 months
LIFE SPAN: Averages 10-12 years
RANGE: Northern Africa, throughout the Sahara Desert, East to the
Sinai Peninsula and Arabia
HABITAT: Inhabits desert and semi-desert
POPULATION: GLOBAL Unknown
STATUS: IUCN Density Dependent
CITES Appendix II
USFWS Not listed
FUN FACTS
1. Fennec foxes have extraordinary hearing to locate prey that may be
underground.
2. Their large ears, which are usually 4-6 inches long, help to
dissipate excess body heat on hot days in the desert.
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.
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.
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.
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
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.