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Taxonomy
Evolution
Description
Plylum: Chordate
Order: Carnivora
Genus: Vulpes
Family: Canidae
Class: Mammalia
Species: Fox
All eight species evolved to survive in desert environment
First one found in 1780
Closest relative is the blandfords fox
Ancestors: Prohesperocyon
Physical Description: Their undersides are pure white, and their tails are bushy with black tips, large ears
Its key characteristics would have to be its large
They're the smallest type of fox and they stand at 8 in and weigh from 2 to 3.5lbs
Their lifespan ranges from 10-12 years
Males have broader heads and Females have more pointed cheekbones
Habitat Description Distribution Diet
The amount of rainfall there is typically less the 100 mm
There's desert grass or scrub vegetation
The animals around are mostly birds
The temperature is usually around 99-104 F
The prefer sandy deserts and arid regions with desert grass
They can be found in North Africa in deserts and around Arabia
Theyre an extremely widespread invasive species
They eat insects, mainly grasshoppers and locusts. They also eat roots leaves and fruits to stay hydrated
They eat up to twice a day
They get their food by using their very large ears to prey underneath the sand once located, they will dig to expose their meal
No special food
Social Structure Reproduction Development
They live in packs up to 10
They have many roles like hunting, parenting, and marking territory
Fennec foxes raise their families together
Through a combination of vocalizations like barks, squeaks, growls , along with physical contact
They mate once a year
Theyre monogomus so they mate for life
They mate during January and Feburary
During mating season males become agressive and mark their terriroty with urine
They can have up to 5 offspring at a time
Unique characteristics about their ritual are
Their stages of development are birth, weaning, and sexual maturity
Their 10 months old when they gain sexual maturity
Theyre nocturnal animals and are active at night to avoid the extremne heat. They also dig dens, hunt, and communicate
The Difference between males and females is males are slightly larger and can be more aggressive when mature
Causes of death
Competition
Population
Jackals and Hyenas and Fennec Foxes main predators
Males kill young sired to prevent them from rasing kids that arent their own and to bring the female back into oestrous sooner
Fennec foxes get many contagious diseases like rabies
Habitat loss is also a leading cause of death
They become aggressive competitors when mating season arrives
Fennec foxes generally dont compete with other species but they might face small desert predators for food resources
Invasive species can have significant impacts on fennec fox when non native species are introduced into an environment, they disrupt the balance. These changes can lead to a decline in this fox population and alter the natural habitat dynamics
IUCN Rating:
Least concern, Theyre not currently at the risk of extinction, however they still face threats from habitat loss and human activities.
Its not well documented but theyre considered pretty common
The population is currently stable
Impact of Humans:
Potential future impacts include habitat loss due to expanding settlements climate change causing shifts in desert ecosystem, and the illegal wildlife trade where theyre captured and sold
Homans have been interacting with Fennec Foxes for centuries
Several things are being done such as legal protection, habitat conservation, education and awareness, and regulation of pet trade
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