top of page
FENNEC FOX
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vulpes zerda
HOUSE NAME: Female "Daphne" Male "Bunga"
HABITAT: Sahara Desert, North Africa, East to Sinai and Arabia
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
DIET: Primarily insects (grasshoppers and locusts) snails, small rodents, lizards, birds, roots, fruits, and leaves.
FUN FACT: Fennec fox communicate with other foxes through urine and feces. They will also use vocalizations such as whimpers, barks, shrieks, squeaks, growls, and howls. Fennec foxes are monogamous and live in family groups of 10 or less. They are a nocturnal species and hide during the daylight. They build elaborate burrows to help them live underground. They can survive on very little water. Even though their legs aren’t long, they can run 20 mph.
DESCRIPTION: The smallest fox in the world, the fennec foxes have long, thick coats that range from a reddish cream to light tan in color. They range in size from 14-16in body length plus 7 to 12 in of tail. They weigh between 2 and 3 pounds. They have many desert adaptations like their large ears that help to track prey under the sand but also dissipate heat. Their ears are about 4-6 inches tall. Their tannish fur allows them to camouflage with the desert sand. They are protected from the hot sand by having furred paws.
FIND ME IN THE ZOO:
bottom of page