The Fennec Fox (Fennecus zerda), is the smallest species in the canine (dog) family. They thrive in the Sahara Desert, Sinai Peninsula, Arabia, and North Africa. Not much has been documented on Fennec Foxes in the wild; however, out of the fourteen carnivorous species living in the Sahara, the Fennec Fox is the only species capable of living away from water. They rely on the grasses and berries for most of their water intake.
Fennecs mate for life and are very social creatures living in communities of ten to fifteen members. Once they were discovered, people began hunting them for their thick, lustrous coat, and captured them for the pet trade. Fennecs are the only wild fox domesticated easily enough to be kept as pets. The Fennec Foxes you’ll find sold as pets today are raised by breeders who love these playful characters.
Fennec Fox Stats
- Head and body length are 9 ½ “ - 16” and the tail adds 7”- 12”
- Weight is 2 - 3 lbs.
- Fennec Foxes are nocturnal animals (they only come out at night).
- They are omnivores (opportunistic eaters) and will eat plants, rodents, eggs, reptiles and insects. Often they will store food underground.
- They mate for life and have one litter of 2 to 5 kits per year.
- Lifespan is 10 - 12 years in the wild.
Special Adaptive Traits
- The Fennec’s extremely large ears serve him well. They act as a coolant system, radiating the heat away from his body. They also aid him in finding dinner, picking up on the sounds of insects crawling on sand.
- This fox’s feet are designed for digging and they can dig 20 feet in a single night. Thick fur pads the feet, and protects them from the hot sand.
- The sandy-cream colored coat not only works as camouflage, but reflects the sun’s intensity in the day, while keeping heat in for cool nights.
- Large, baby-doll eyes gives the Fennec Fox excellent vision for hunting from dusk to dawn.
Fennec Foxes as Pets
Although Fennecs are classified as canines, their agility resembles something more cat-like, and they can jump four times their body length. These guys are highly energetic that, Fennec owners will tell you, doesn’t mellow with age, and have been described as perpetual puppies. Being very clean animals, they are easily trained to a litter box. They can also be trained to walk on a leash along with the family dog.
In captivity, Fennecs are fed a variety of dog food, cat food, veggies and fruit. They tend to live four to five years longer (12-16 years) in captivity than they do in the wild. It’s important to remember that Fennec Foxes are active diggers (and sofas aren’t off limits), so outside enclosures must be especially secure. Outside the home, Fennecs need to be properly leashed as the instinct to explore (and quickly) is high. Still, it's easy to see why these beautiful creatures are becoming a favorite among exotic pet owners.
Responsibility
Owning an exotic pet is controversial, so before attempting to purchase a Fennec Fox, thorough research on dietary, environmental, social, and behavioral requirements is necessary. Find a reputable Fennec Fox breeder, and please don’t support any one who had captured Fennec Foxes from the wild to sell as pets.
Also, it is of the utmost importance to check with the laws of your particular state,and local area on exotic pet ownership. Failure to do so could be disastrous for the animal. For instance, in California, it is illegal to own a Fennec Fox without a special license. If an illegal Fennec is found, it is confiscated, and euthanize (destroyed).
For those who can legally own and provide for a Fennec Fox – enjoy!
