At first glance, the fennec fox looks like the sweetest, most desirable pet in the world. The smallest of the canid family, it's adult weight will reach only 2 to 3.5 pounds. The body length is about 16 inches, and its long bushy tail may add another 9 inches. It measures only about 8 inches tall at the shoulder.
The natural habitat of this mammal is the sandy Sahara Desert and other parts of North Africa. It has large batlike ears, up to 5.9 inches long, which radiate body heat and help keep it cool during hot days. Its long, thick, cream-colored fur insulates against daytime heat, but also keeps it warm during cold desert nights. Even the fox's feet are furry so it can walk painlessly on the hot desert sand.
The fennec fox is nocturnal. It is also an omnivore. In the wild, it hunts during the night for rodents, lizards, birds and bird eggs. It gets most of its water from its food, but will drink water when it's available. It can last for long periods without water, and sometimes will eat berries and leaves in order to get more of the scarce liquid.
As a pet, the fennec will thrive on a high-protein brand of dry dog or cat food, supplemented by fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, crickets, meal worms and canned dog or cat food.
These animals are expert climbers and diggers. They live in underground dens, in small communities in the wild. In the home, dog crates are satisfactory. The fox should be crated when not supervised; otherwise it will get into all kinds of mischief. It is very energetic, active, curious and a masterful escape artist.
An outdoor pen should be completely covered with mesh and have fencing which extends for many feet underground, otherwise your pet will tunnel its way to freedom. These little animals can dig up to twenty feet a night in their natural environment.
You can take your pet for walks on a leash, but be careful that it cannot wiggle out of its collar or harness. Once loose, it will be very difficult to recapture.
Fennec foxes are basically wild animals. They cannot be domesticated like dogs. Because of this, house training can be a challenge. However, some animals take to a litter box or secure outdoor pen quite readily. The process involves taking the fox to the litter box or outdoor pen quite frequently, and rewarding it with lots of treats for doing its business in the appropriate place.
The issue of owning exotic pets is controversial. There are many factors to consider before purchasing or adopting one of these little foxes:
* Many areas have strict regulations about exotic pets. Learn the rules for your state or province and get any necessary permits and paperwork completed.
* Find a veterinarian who is experienced with exotic animals, and who is willing to vaccinate and care for your fennec fox.
* Provide adequate housing for your pet. A large, four-story, ferret house has been found suitable by some owners. When you're available, the little fox will be happiest running and playing with you, but it should always be supervised when loose.
Although the fennec fox looks sweet and desirable at first glance, the prospective owner must be ready to invest large amounts of time and energy into the care and maintenance of this pet. It requires large amounts of time and attention, perhaps more than the member of an average family can provide.
Wild instincts make fennec foxes more enjoyable, but also more labor-intensive than domestic pets. Fennecs have more personality and are reported to be smarter than dogs or cats, but they retain behaviors that are suitable for desert living. They may hide caches of food in case of famine, burrow into furniture to make a nest and run like the wind when they sense freedom near at hand.
As sweet and desirable as the fennec fox may seem at first glance, they are a handful to own and care for properly.