Fennec Fox

Vulpes zerda

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Carnivora · Canidae

About

The fennec fox is a small fox native to the deserts of North Africa, ranging from Western Sahara and Mauritania to the Sinai Peninsula. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat and listen for underground prey. The fennec is the smallest fox species. Its coat, ears, and kidney functions have adapted to the desert environment with high temperatures and little water.

Fun Fact

Fennec foxes' enormous ears (up to 15 cm) serve as radiators that dissipate heat and as satellite dishes for detecting underground prey — they are the smallest canids in the world, weighing just 0.7-1.6 kg.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Sandy deserts

Diet

Omnivore

Lifespan

10-14 years

Threats

Water Extraction
Climate Change

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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