Fennec Fox-Habitats and Habits

Fennec Foxes are the smallest species of the canids (carnivorous and omnivorous mammals) and the smallest fox known to man.  They range from about 1.5 pounds to about 3.5 pounds.  They have thin bodies and huge ears which enable them to hear their prey, as well as their predators, miles away or even underground.  Their large ears also help them to dispell some of the daytime heat of the dessert.  They build large dens in the desert sands of North Africa or Asia.  Each den can have as many as 15 different entrances.   The animals stay underground during the heat of the day and come out at night to hunt.  Their thick fur protects them from the frigid night-time temperatures.   

Be sure to  go to Build-A-Bear for more information on the Build-A-Bear WWF series of products. 

Because they live underground and come out to feed only at night, it is hard to determine their numbers.  Also, young Fennec Foxes remain underground for up-to 7 weeks before venturing out into the open air.  Because the Fennec Fox is so fast, capturing one in the wild to tag is nearly impossible. 

Though considered endangered, Fennec Foxes can still be purchased and raised as Exotic Pets.  In order for them to be domestic pets, they must be removed from their parents at about 2 weeks and hand-raised.  Often they cannot be housebroken (some just do and others just don't).  Fennec Foxes are extremely shy and many never become comfortable with human handling.  If you chose a Fennec Fox as a pet, you should be prepared to have a pet that does not want to be held and can not be left to roam the house like a dog or cat.  Also, Fennec Foxes must be registered as an exotic pet and may be illegal in your state or town.  Be sure to check into this before you decide to invest in one as a pet.

**The Fennec Fox shown above is the one my granddaughter received from Build-A-Bear.  She named her Specially.

Fennec Foxes feed primarily on scorpions and tarantulas.  They will sometimes eat small rodents and small birds as well.  Their diet is based on what animals and creatures roam the the dessert nights.  In captivity, they will also eat fruits and vegetables.  They can hear their prey under ground with their large ears and, since they are great diggers, they can dig for their prey with ease.

The main predator of the Fennec Fox is the Eagle Owl which can fly fast enough to catch the animal.  Other possible predators are Caracals-a medium-sized feline, Jackals, Striped Hyenas, and Saluki-a slim canine similar in appearance to the greyhound dog.  Many who study the Fennec Fox however, feel that the other predators I mentioned are much too slow to catch one, and consider stories about such predators to be unfounded heresay.