1. By Kami Cole
Fennec Fox

2. 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)

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Works cited

16. Thanks for listening!