Fennec Fox

Caring for a Fennec Fox : Habitat, Diet, and Behavior

The Fennec Fox is one of the smallest fox breeds. It is a very beautiful and charming type of fox. Its fur is long, soft, and dense, which makes it loved by everyone. The color of this fox ranges from reddish cream to light brown or almost white with a distinctly white underbelly and a broom-like tail tipped with black.

These foxes are native to the sand deserts of North Africa. They have large ears that help dissipate heat and help them hunt in the sand. Keeping warm and blocking sunlight during the day, these foxes are experts at hiding. They have more hair on the top of their feet which helps protect the young from the ground quickly. These foxes can survive without water for a long time. They also get water by eating. 

In this article, we are going to give you complete updates about Fennec Fox including their care guide, their price, their way of living, their housing setup, their diet food, all these things we will explain in detail. 

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Fennec Fox
Adorable desert fox with big ears.

Facts About Fennec Fox:

Common NameFennec Fox
Scientific NameVulpes zerda
Size:Length of the body: 24 to 41 cm 9.5 to 16 in, Length of the tail: 18 to 31 cm, 7 to 12 inch tailed
Period of Life10 – 14 years in captivity, around 10 years under natural conditions

Cost and Price of  a Fennec Fox:

The Cost of a Fennec Fox can greatly depend on the place of the buyer, the breeder, and their availability. For instance, it is estimated that the price inner ranges from $2,500 to $3,500 within the U.S. This is only an entry cost though. Other costs such as proper space, feeding, medical services, and permits (if any) that accompany Fennec Fox must be considered. It is advisable to check thoroughly and make sure it is allowed to keep a Fennec Fox in a String damaging case before one goes out to buy one.

Behavior and Temperament of Fennec Fox:

The Fennec Fox is generally nocturnal, meaning it does most of its activity at night, hunting small animals such as insects, birds, and rodents in the forest at night, and rests in burrows in the cool underground during the day. It may occasionally enjoy playing with its owner, but it also prefers to be alone most of the time. It is afraid of a careful fight and prefers to run away, but if it gets too angry, it can bite.

These animals make different sounds to show their emotional state. This fox can get along well with other household pets such as dogs and cats. They can be trained to walk by wearing a leash around their neck, which greatly helps reduce their mating energy. 

Food/Eating Habits of Fennec Fox:

Fennec foxes are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals. In the wild, they usually eat insects, frogs, small rodents, birds, their eggs, and lizards. In a sense, these roots also eat fruits and leaves so that they get water from there and the lack of water in them continues to be fulfilled. Due to the long and large ears of this fox, it catches its prey very skillfully. In some cases, these foxes even hunt adult rabbits.  A balanced diet for a fennec fox includes a mix of:

  • High-quality dog or cat food
  • Fruits and vegetables (like apples, carrots, and berries)
  • Live insects (such as crickets and mealworms)
  • Occasional raw meats (like chicken or turkey)

Avoid feeding human processed food to these foxes as it will have a bad effect on their stomachs. Foxes like to drink fresh water and consult a vet to ensure a proper diet for these rare pets. Have full experience about. 

Food of Fennec Fox
A Diverse Diet of Fennec Fox

Reproduction And Development:

Fennec foxes usually give birth only once a year, during which they can give birth to two to five cubs at once. Their breeding season occurs between January and March. The female has a gestation period of about 50 to 52 days, after which she gives birth to two to five young in a secure underground burrow. For one to two weeks they are fully under the care of their mother, then at the age of four to five weeks they begin to emerge from the burrow under the supervision of the mare, the mother feeds them, and they thus mature at nine to 11 months. 

Housing and Environment of Fennec Fox:

The finca fox is a desert animal and providing it with a suitable environment is very important for its well-being. By staying indoors, they can express their natural habitat where they can dig in fertile soil. These foxes need a temperature of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit to survive.

Use bricks or wooden planks to floor your cages with sandy soil or other soft soil on top of the floor. Place it to create a natural environment. You can put any delicate thing inside the cages for decoration. Do not use anything harsh that could hurt the animal. A fox can be taught to use a litter box, but it is not as reliable as cats, so they need to develop a variety of toy platforms so that they can explore a whole environment while still inside their cage. 

Legal Aspects:

Before one even thinks about purchasing a fennec fox, appropriate legal considerations have to be established for the particular area. In some countries or states, ownership of a fennec fox may be banned whilst others might allow it but only under some special permits. Because these are atypical pets, not every pet animal caregiver would be knowledgeable about their taking care, therefore coming up with an exotic animal veterinarian around is crucial.

Challenges of Owning a Fennec Fox:

There are a number of drawbacks to be worth considering even if getting a fennec fox pet is exciting:

Active on nights:

This could be very dissipating for most households if measures to curb this habit are not put in place.

High-energy:

These people are the active type who require a lot of activities in order not to feel bored and when left alone for too long they tend to get bored and destructive.

They hunt & wild animals:

Fennec foxes are not completely tamed and this presents challenges in their management.

Legal – And logistical challenges:

This explains why most people find it very difficult to get a specialized doctor and also to follow the legal requirements set for them.

Conclusion:

The fennec fox is one of the forever exotic and sweet pets being so small in size, with big ears and a cheeky attitude. Even though it will require a well-sized enclosure and a lot of attention, it can still be a good pet for those who are ready to take care of a strange and wonderful creature. A Fennec Fox has its own needs especially if its health and happiness are at stake and these needs have to be fairly understood and respected by an owner.

FAQS:

Q. Do Fennec Foxes live in groups or are they solitary creatures? 

Yes, Fennec Foxes are social animals in their natural environment as they live in groups consisting of families. As pets, they do need some social contact and time to play at times could be quite self-sufficient.

Q. Are Fennec Foxes kept in cages in excessively large sizes? 

Yes, Fennec Foxes are very energetic animals are very restless, and therefore require quite a bit of space, secure boundaries, and opportunities to run, dig, and explore. A limitation of indoor life only may probably not suffice their energy levels.

Q. Who keeps Fennec Foxes as pets freely and where? 

Thinking of Fennec Fox ownership is dependent on where you are situated. Looking to take up as a pet, Fennec Fox breeds it is crucial to ensure that government policies do allow for them to be maintained every so often.

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