Fennec Foxes - Behavior
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Courtesy of
Alsirhan's homepage © 2002
Alsirhan.com
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The Fennec Foxes are animals that are most active at night. They group in numbers of 10. Although the relationship of the members inside the group has not yet been studied, we know that each male marks its own territory with urine; the leader usually marks more than the other males. And, the males become more aggressive during the mating period.
The Fennec Foxes make their den by burrowing under rock piles and the roots of bushes. There are several entrances to their shelter. They usually hide in the den from enemies and bad weather. Generally there are several animals living in the den and that is why there is a system of tunnels. Actually these are not solitary animals. They prefer to live in groups; there is a group of Fennec Fox females with one male and their little pups.
Fennec Foxes - Living in Deserts
The behavior of theses animals is much like others desert mammals. They do not hunt in the daytime when the heat is unbearable; they choose to do it at night. The Fennec Foxes dig quite long tunnels (about 35 feet long) and deep under the earth (about a yard). Not only does a burrow serve as a shelter but also as a more comfortable place to live, as it is much cooler under the layer of sand. The animals are good, quick diggers; they may sink out of sight rapidly. When they dig they burrow with their forepaws, shooting sand backwards.
Diet -- In the Zoo: specially prepared canine diet, plus occasional freshly killed mice or chicks and some fruit.
Diet -- In the Wild: Large insects like beetles and locusts, small rodents, lizards and occasionally birds; some plant material, when available, like berries and succulent leaves.
The Fennec Foxes can easily live without water for a long period of time, although if there is water available, they will drink. They get all the necessary moisture from the food they eat.
Fennec Foxes - Animals in Captivity
These animals are kept in captivity. Nowadays it is one of the most exotic animals to have at home. It is possible to modify their wild instincts but they can never be over-ridden. They will always dig and hunt as they are used to this type of activity.
Commercial Use: The Fennec Foxes are trapped and sold as pets. And indigenous people in the Sahara extensively hunt Fennec Foxes for pelts.
Fennec Foxes - General Information Links
A Survey to Fennec Foxes - Their habits, general appearance, etc.
Americazoo.com - Information about Fennec Foxes, description, habitat, diet, etc.
and Status Commercial Use and Other
Angelfire - Information on Fennec Foxes, Breeder Directory, Bloodline information, etc
Animaldiversity - Pictures, info about Fennec Foxes.
Article about Fennec Foxes - Fennec Fox is one of the cutest animals. There are photos.
Brief Information about Fennec Foxes - The National Zoo Small Mammal House pages.
Chaffeezoo - Information about Fennec Foxes, their distribution, behavior, etc.
Creatureteacher - Endangered animals description.
Domesticated Animals - Facts concerning Fennec Foxes adoption.
Fennec Fox Captured - Information about population, keeping the animal in capture, etc.
Fennec Fox Reference - Interesting facts about Fennec Foxes.
Fennec Fox Story - A story about the Fennec Fox.
Fennec Fox Story and Pictures - The story about a Fennec Fox called Cricket that was bought be a movie company for a film.
Fennec Foxes Brief - Fennec Foxes: class, family, and other information.
Fennec Foxes General - General information about the Fennec Fox.
Fennec Foxes Health - Fennec Foxes, their habits, health and other concerns.
Fennec Foxes in Captivity - A lot of pictures of Foxes in captivity.
Fennec Foxes Pics - About the Fennec Fox that are the smallest foxes in the world.
Fennec Foxes Pictures - Funny pictures about the Fennec Foxes, adoption of these animals.
Fennec Foxes Short - Fennec Fox range, description, physical description, hunting, diet, etc.
Mynarskiforest - Information about the Fennec Fox. Its comparison with other types of foxes.
Pangeapets - Characteristics of the foxes in captivity, their diet, behavior, etc.
Park Zoo -Description of the Fennec Foxes.
[http://www.petoftheday.com/archive/2001/December/28.html;Petoftheday] - The story of the Fennec Fox kept as a pet.
