Physical Characteristics
Fennec foxes are the smallest species of foxes. They have giant ears, almond-shaped eyes, a small face, pointed snout and they are beige/brown in colour with a black tipped tail. They typically weigh 1.5-3.5 pounds and are around 8 inches tall. These foxes live in underground dens to protect themselves from predators and the blazing desert sun as they are nocturnal and sleep most of the day. Fennecs have adapted physically to their common environment in a few ways. Their giant, bat-like ears are the most distinctive feature about them. They dissipate heat to help keep the foxes cool as well as provide incredible hearing abilities so that they can hear prey moving from far away, even as they sleep underground. These foxes have thick fur so that they can stay warm on cool desert nights. Their paws are also hairy and heavily padded to protect their skin from the scorching desert sands, and they are well-designed to dig tunnels and dens.
Temperament
Fennec foxes choose to live in small groups of up to ten other foxes. These foxes are highly sociable creatures that love to interact with other individuals. Adults wrestle and play among the group and interact with their young a lot. They make small barking sounds and sometimes purring sounds. If they feel threatened they will snarl and growl. Fennecs mate for life and each family controls their own territory. They can have up to two litters of 2-5 kits per year if food and living conditions are ideal. The young of a previous litter of foxes tends to stick around even after a second litter is born. During mating season, male fennecs usually become very aggressive and competitive among the others and mark their spaces with urine according to their female mate's reproductive cycle. These foxes can be described as a mixture of a dog and a cat. They have the agility, size and some personality characteristics of a cat. The way they socialize and play are similar to a young dog. These types of foxes can be litter box trained for convenience as they are diggers and good at escaping when outdoors (like a cat). They can learn tricks such as sit, fetch and chase just as easily as a dog. Some owners find that the difference in gender has an effect of the fox's personality. Neutered males tend to be calmer and cuddlier where as females are highly energetic whether they are spayed or not.
*Refer to the first two videos on the "Photos and Extra Info" page of this site to see both sides of Scout the fennec's activity level*
Fennec foxes are the smallest species of foxes. They have giant ears, almond-shaped eyes, a small face, pointed snout and they are beige/brown in colour with a black tipped tail. They typically weigh 1.5-3.5 pounds and are around 8 inches tall. These foxes live in underground dens to protect themselves from predators and the blazing desert sun as they are nocturnal and sleep most of the day. Fennecs have adapted physically to their common environment in a few ways. Their giant, bat-like ears are the most distinctive feature about them. They dissipate heat to help keep the foxes cool as well as provide incredible hearing abilities so that they can hear prey moving from far away, even as they sleep underground. These foxes have thick fur so that they can stay warm on cool desert nights. Their paws are also hairy and heavily padded to protect their skin from the scorching desert sands, and they are well-designed to dig tunnels and dens.
Temperament
Fennec foxes choose to live in small groups of up to ten other foxes. These foxes are highly sociable creatures that love to interact with other individuals. Adults wrestle and play among the group and interact with their young a lot. They make small barking sounds and sometimes purring sounds. If they feel threatened they will snarl and growl. Fennecs mate for life and each family controls their own territory. They can have up to two litters of 2-5 kits per year if food and living conditions are ideal. The young of a previous litter of foxes tends to stick around even after a second litter is born. During mating season, male fennecs usually become very aggressive and competitive among the others and mark their spaces with urine according to their female mate's reproductive cycle. These foxes can be described as a mixture of a dog and a cat. They have the agility, size and some personality characteristics of a cat. The way they socialize and play are similar to a young dog. These types of foxes can be litter box trained for convenience as they are diggers and good at escaping when outdoors (like a cat). They can learn tricks such as sit, fetch and chase just as easily as a dog. Some owners find that the difference in gender has an effect of the fox's personality. Neutered males tend to be calmer and cuddlier where as females are highly energetic whether they are spayed or not.
*Refer to the first two videos on the "Photos and Extra Info" page of this site to see both sides of Scout the fennec's activity level*