The Fennec Fox is one of the most adorable animals you’ll find and a standout among its own species due to its unique physical characteristics. No, we’re not just talking about its petite body, we’re talking about its enormously large ears and extra sharp ears.
This adorable canid dwells in the Sahara Desert of North Africa and can be found as far east as Kuwait.
How does it adapt to its desert habitat? Well, we’ll be answering that for you, along with much more, as we take you through 12 exciting facts about the animal you may not have known.
Fennec Fox Key Highlights
- Despite being the world’s smallest fox species, Fennec Foxes are superior hunters and usually operate during the night, utilizing the extra fur beneath their feet to traverse long distances in the sand.
- Fennec Foxes are widely considered the cutest fox species in the world. Mostly due to their adorable ears that can stand up to 6 inches tall and their sandy coats that keep them camouflaged from predators.
General Info About Fennec Fox
| Habitat: | Deserts, Savannahs |
| Location: | Northern Africa |
| Lifespan: | Wild: 10 years, Captivity: 14 years |
| Weight: | 2.2 to 3 lbs |
| Diet: | Leaves, fruits, roots, snails, rodents, insects, lizards and birds |
| Predators: | Eagle Owls and Jackals |
| Size: | 9 – 16 inches |
| Top Speed: | 20 mph (32 km/h) |
Learn more by reading our ultimate profile of the Fennec Fox profile!
Top 12 Facts About Fennec Fox
1. The Fennec Fox is the Smallest Fox in the World
Fennec Foxes aren’t just small, they’re the smallest of their species. These remarkably tiny canids stand at just 8 inches tall and weigh about 2.2 to 3 pounds. That’s even smaller than your average house cat!
But that shouldn’t make you doubt their ability as hunters, as these small furries can jump up to 2 feet high and can traverse the sand for hours in search of their prey.
2. The Extra Fur on Its Feet Help it Thrive in the Desert
One of the physical features that allows the Fennec Fox to adapt to its desert environment is the extra fur on the bottom of its feet.
This extra fur not only helps the furry creature protect its paw pads from the hot sand during the day but also helps the fox retain warmth during the night. It even helps gain traction when traversing the loose desert sand.
3. The Fennec Fox Ears Serve Multiple Purposes
The Fennec Fox sets itself apart from its much more famous cousin, the Red Fox. Due in large part to its incredibly large ears. These beauties are 6 inches long, making the Fennec Fox also the world’s largest-eared fox.
But they’re not just for show. These ears help the canid listen for prey underground. Additionally, they also help the fox stay cool by losing heat through them and thriving in the warm desert climate.
4. They’re Incredibly Social Animals
From what has been observed about them in captivity, Fennec foxes prefer living in packs. You’ll often see them play fighting with members of their clans, even as adults. A pack of Fennec Foxes usually consists of 10 individuals.
However, the exact size of the group can vary according to the food resources available in their territory.
5. The Fennec Fox is Dedicated to its Family
Fennec Foxes pair up and mate for life. The male fox’s duty is to protect and provide for his family, while the female’s is to reproduce. A female Fennec fox can produce up to two litters in a year, with each litter containing two to five pups.
What’s awesome about all this is that the members of the first litter are allowed to stay with the family even as the next litter is born.
6. They’re Incredibly Protective of Their Territory
Fennec Foxes may be incredibly social with members of their own clan, but they’ll still viciously defend their territory from rival clans.
In a way that’s similar to other canids, these foxes will often mark their territory by urinating and defecating along it.
7. They Communicate Through a Range of Vocalizations
Both adult and young Fennec Foxes tend to communicate with each other through a range of vocalizations. These include chatters, growls, barks, repeated howls, whimpers, shrieks and squeaks.
8. The Fennec Fox Doesn’t Need to Drink Water
Another reason why Fennec Foxes can adapt perfectly to their desert habitat is because of their ability to survive without water for long periods of time.
Which makes sense considering how they can get nearly 100% of their daily water intake from the leaves, roots and various fruits they eat.
9. They Thrive in the Night
Like so many of its fellow desert dwellers, the Fennec Fox is a nocturnal animal. Meaning it locates and hunts its prey in the dark of the night while snoozing away the day in its underground burrow.
10. The Fennec Fox is an Expert at Camouflage
The Fennec Fox has been blessed with a sand-colored coat, which it uses to full effect to hide from predators by seamlessly melting into its desert surroundings.
To add to that, the sandy color of its coat also helps to reflect heat during the day and keeps it cool and comfortable.
11. They Sustain Themselves on Berries and Leaves Despite Being Carnivores
We just mentioned how the Fennec Fox is an expert hunter. But finding prey in the desert can be challenging at times. This is why the little canid largely sustains itself on various berries, leaves and roots.
With that said, when they do decide to hunt, they go after small rodents, birds, lizards, insects and even snails.
12. Fennec Foxes Prefer Living in Burrows with Their Clan
A part of being nocturnal is finding a place to sleep away the day. Well, Fennec Foxes create small burrows in the sand for themselves and their clans.
This underground space helps them hide from the eyes of predators and stay cool throughout the day.
Learn more by reading our ultimate profile of the Fennec Fox profile!
