These cute little foxes have been gaining popularity in recent years due to their small size and huge ears. They are found in the desert, which helps them to blend into their environment. So let's find out more about these fascinating little cuties.
Physical Description and Behavior
The Fennec Fox weighs less than 5 pounds, and usually are less than a foot long. They can live up to 10 years in the wild and has cream-colored, fluffy fur that blends in well with its desert environment. As they are omnivores, their main food sources are rodents, insects, birds, eggs, and even rabbits. Not too many plants as there are not a lot of them growing in the desert.
Their big ears act as radiators; helping to get rid of excess body heat and keep their body cool. The most interesting adaptation would be the fact that their bodies are designed to prevent water loss, which allows them to be able to live for quite a while without a free and steady source of water.
A lot of the water that they consume is through their food. However, if there is a water supply available, they will drink from it. Now too much is known about their behavior due to the fact that most knowledge is based on captive animals.
Habitat and Location
They live in the Sahara in Northern Africa. They can be found from Morocco to Egypt, and even all the way down to Niger. In order to sleep, they dig dens in the sand. These dens can be upwards of 120 square meters and even have multiple openings. This sounds like a very sophisticated place to live.
They are classified as Least Concern according to the IUCN Redlist. But it will be important to see how they adapt to climate change and desertification as time goes on.
Check out this video below to learn more about these little cuties
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