Restricted largely to the Sahara region of North Africa, occuring in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Sudan. Also ranges northeast of the Red Sea. The Ears are much larger than the head measuring up to 15 cm. Its sandy color helps the fennec to blend into a landscape where there is little natural cover. The muzzle is short, exceedingly narrow and pointed. The paws are covered with fur, helping these foxes to walk on sand without burning the skin. The large surface area of the ears helps dissipate heat from the body. Fennec foxes also keeps cool by panting. These desert-dwelling foxes are superbly adapted to living in their particularly harsh environment. They are the smallest of all canids, with disproportionately large ears. Fennec foxes communicate using a variety of calls, including growls and barks, but they also have a distinctive purr, rather like a cat. They normally live in groups of up to 10 individuals, and are highly territorial by nature, marking their area with urine. They inhabit underground dens, where the young are born. The cubs start to emerge above ground at about a month old. Unlike other wild canids, fennec foxes can produce two litters each year. A female will not allow a male close to her cubs.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Fennec Fox
Restricted largely to the Sahara region of North Africa, occuring in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Sudan. Also ranges northeast of the Red Sea. The Ears are much larger than the head measuring up to 15 cm. Its sandy color helps the fennec to blend into a landscape where there is little natural cover. The muzzle is short, exceedingly narrow and pointed. The paws are covered with fur, helping these foxes to walk on sand without burning the skin. The large surface area of the ears helps dissipate heat from the body. Fennec foxes also keeps cool by panting. These desert-dwelling foxes are superbly adapted to living in their particularly harsh environment. They are the smallest of all canids, with disproportionately large ears. Fennec foxes communicate using a variety of calls, including growls and barks, but they also have a distinctive purr, rather like a cat. They normally live in groups of up to 10 individuals, and are highly territorial by nature, marking their area with urine. They inhabit underground dens, where the young are born. The cubs start to emerge above ground at about a month old. Unlike other wild canids, fennec foxes can produce two litters each year. A female will not allow a male close to her cubs.
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