Fennecus zerda

Fennec fox


Classification

Geographic Range

Ethiopian, Neotropical: This particular fox is confined to Northern Africa and found exclusively within the Sahara Desert. In addition, this animal is rarely seen.

Physical Characteristics

Mass: 1 to 1.5 g

This candid is known for its triangular ears. Infact, the Fennec greatly resembles the Vulpes because both animals have such enormous ears and bullae. However, the Fennec is the smallest and palest of all the foxes. They stand at approximately 20 cm at the shoulder and is around 40 cm in length without the tail. Their feet are densley-furred which enables them to run in loose sand.

Natural History

Food Habits

Catching prey and small game prove to be the sources of food for the Fennec. Rodents, lizards, and insects such as locusts are the most popular prey. They catch their prey by their "neck-bite" and then the prey is carried back to the Fennec's shelter before it is eaten. Food is not a laughing matter for these foxes, for they have been known to fight family members over it. Food jealousy is common. Although they care for and tolerate those within their family unit, each individual wants all the food for himself.

Reproduction

Fennec foxes possess a gestation period of 49 to 52 days, with around 2-5 offspring per litter. Burrows are known to be dug in March and the young are born in February or March. The female is in heat for about two days, during which time she flags her tail to one side in a horizontal position. During the 4-6 weeks of rutting season, the male is extremely aggressive and marks his territory with urine. He defends the female before and during birth. Little else is known about their rutting behavior in the wild. The weaning period occurs between 61-70 days. Carrying, grooming of the young, and sucking by the young can go on for up to 70 days. Young are believed to remain living with the family (younger siblings and parents) until at least their first birthday.

Behavior

Although Fennecs are known to fight seriously over food, they playfully engage in many social games. Fighting, predatory, and running games are a few of the social games which end up in serious fights. Their solitary games (which are predatory in nature) and play are subject to seasonal and daily fluctuation, similar to that which occurs in red foxes.

Habitat

Fennecs live in small groups of up to 10 individuals. They are also nocturnal. This, and their subterranean lifestyle reduces their need for thermoregulation. They are totally adapted to living in the desert. An example of this is the fact that they do not need drinking water for long peroids of time.

Other Comments

Their fights are accompainied by lots of screaming, hip slamming, and pushing with extended forelimbs.

They really, really resemble "Gizmo" from the Gremlins.

The males' urine and solid wastes are oftentimes covered with sawdust.