Mammals · Carnivora · Canidae
Fennec Fox
Vulpes zerda
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
Its enormous ears, the largest relative to body size of any canid, do two jobs at once: shedding body heat and locating prey underground. It is monogamous for life and never needs to drink.
Weight
900 g – 1.9 kg
Size
24 cm – 41 cm
Lifespan
10 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Nocturnal
Active mainly at night.
Social structure
In pairs
Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- adaptaciónIt has the largest ears relative to body size of any canid, adapted both to shed heat and to detect prey under the sand.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
- Habitat & environment
- Sand deserts of the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula, from Morocco to Sinai
- Birth weight
- 50 grams
- Size at birth
- Blind and helpless at birth
- Sexual maturity
- 9-11 months
- Gestation / incubation
- 50-53 days
- Litter / clutch size
- 1 to 6 young per litter (most commonly 2-4)
- Lifespan in captivity
- Documented record of up to 14-16 years in captivity
Sources consulted: World Species; PBS Nature; GBIF; Animal Diversity Web; A-Z Animals; Animalia.bio; Wikipedia; Britannica; MSU Brain Museum
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapBest time: All year round in the Sahara, at night; it is easier to detect from its tracks and its burrows in the sand than by sight.
Where to watch it
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Fennec Fox — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
African Golden Wolf
Canis anthus
Pale Fox
Vulpes pallida
Least ConcernGolden Jackal
Canis aureus
Blanford's Fox
Vulpes cana
Bengal Fox
Vulpes bengalensis
Least ConcernAfrican Jackals
Lupulella mesomelas
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