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Fox (Fennec)

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Fennecus zerda
Fox (Fennec)

Range

They are found in the Sahara desert of North Africa.

Habitat

They live in the desert.

Body Traits

They are the smallest fox in the world. Including their tail foot-long tail, they are only 2.5 feet long. They are tan colored to blend with their sandy habitat. They have very large ears that help cool them. They do this at night when the air is cold and blood circulating through the ears is cooled by the night air. They have fur on the bottoms of their feet to protect them from the hot sand.

Habits

They are mostly active at night (nocturnal). During the day they rest in burrows, which they share with other fennecs. Males mark their territories with urine.

Diet

They eat both plants and small animals (omnivorous), like; rodents, birds eggs, reptiles and insects. They don’t need to drink water to survive as they get enough moisture in the things they eat.

Predators

They are hunted by snakes, hyena, jackal, desert cats and big birds of prey.

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Reproduction

Females are pregnant for about 7 weeks and have 2-5 young.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They can live up to 10 years in the wild, usually less. Their conservation status is unknown.

Fox (Fennec)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes
Species: Vulpes zerda

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