By Kami Cole Fennec Fox

Classification Kingdom: animilia Phylum: chordate Class: mammalia Order: carnivore Family: canidae Genus: fennecus Species: zerda Related to: Cape fox (grey, pretty big ears), and Blanford’s fox (tiny, huge ears)

physical characteristics Length: head/body= 13-16” tail= 6.6-12” Weight: 2-3 lbs. Coat: dense, long, reddish brown fur Ears: 20% of total surface area Tail: thick, bushy Paws: furred pads, broad

distribution Found in deserts of Northern Africa and the Middle East From Morocco to Sahara Desert All the way to the Middle East as far as Arabian Desert

habitat Deserts in Northern Africa Light fine sand Sahara desert, and Arabian Desert Ranges over 2.2 million square miles Not common any where Spends days in den to escape heat of desert Summer shade temperatures 129 degrees Sun up 11hrs a day No rain for several years

Conservation status Of least concern Not common any where but is wide spread Hunted and kept as pets by humans Population decreasing Rare in parts of its range Protected by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna)

Reproduction Starts reproducing at about 1 year Pregnant for 51 days Has 1 to 5 pups Reproduces in January and February

Parental care Pups drink milk After two weeks eyes open Start eating solid food after three weeks Father helps take care of cubs Fully weaned at eight weeks Stay with parents for nine months Mother teaches them how to hunt Mother takes them to safety when predators near

Longevity and morality Lives 10 years in captivity Lives about eight in wild No large difference between male and female

Seasonal patterns No behavioral changes for seasons Doesn’t migrate Doesn’t hibernate Doesn’t undergo torpor

Diet Starts hunting at dusk Eats almost any small desert creature Usually eats insects, rodents, lizards, eggs, birds, and fruits Uses ears to pinpoint where rodents may be hiding Mainly eats small rodents Sense of hearing is vital for hunting in the dark Moves very fast through desert eating up small desert animals

Predator relationships Predators are also nocturnal Predators: hyena, large birds, humans Humans are main threat Animal predators are not large threat

Human relationships Hunted for fur Kept as pets Treated like a mix between a cat and dog Humans are their main threat Killed for meat by desert people

Fun facts Fennec fox is the only one in its genus Digs so fast, looks like it’s sinking Breathes up to 700 breaths a minute

Works cited

Thanks for listening!