Fennec fox, or desert fox (vulpes zerda). Domestic dwarf fennec fox

When talking about a species of animal such as the eared fox, it is important to understand that this breed has some individuality. The pleasant animal, affectionately called the fennec, has a rather specific disposition and can even be unsafe if disturbed in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, the valuable fur of the animal led to the fact that the fennec was exterminated en masse by poachers, which significantly reduced the number of the species. However, today the long-eared fox, which is protected by law, is doing great.

Fox appearance

In the photo, the fennec is the most amazing and most small animal, family-owned canids. This is the size of the animal no bigger than a domestic cat. This cute animal got its name from the Arabic “fanak”, which means “fox”. At the withers it is no more than 22 cm, body length is up to 40 cm, and the length of the tail is about 30 cm. The weight of the animal is up to one and a half kilograms. The fox has a small, pointed muzzle with large eyes.

The muzzle is dotted with small, sharp teeth. Of particular note is the disproportionate big ears. This is the first thing that catches your eye, because their length reaches 15 cm! The fennec's ears break records among predators in terms of the ratio of ear length to head size. But without such ears, the Fenech would not be able to survive in the desert. They perform several important functions:

• detection and determination of the exact location of prey at a considerable distance, including those located at depth (and this takes into account the tiny size of the prey itself);
• implementation of thermoregulation, which is vital for life in the desert. This is facilitated by the saturation of the ears with blood vessels located at the very surface of the skin, which contributes to the intensive removal of excess heat from the body. ​

Gorgeous appearance and body specificity

The animal's feet, densely covered with fur, help in silently “hiding” prey and protect the skin of the paws from the hot sand. The fennec cat's fur is soft, thick, long, and has a camouflage, “desert” color. Top part reddish shades, the lower part is white. Fluffy a long tail with black tail, complements the uniqueness of the portrait of this small animal.

Young fennec cats wear white fur, which darkens with age. The fennec cat, like other canids, lacks sweat glands. Cooling occurs through breathing and huge ears provide significant assistance. Like all foxes, the fennec is the owner of a “violet” gland located in the supra-tail region. Its functions have not yet been clarified with sufficient certainty.

Distribution and lifestyle

The total number of these animals is unknown. Average life expectancy in natural conditions - from five to eight years. The main habitat of the fennec cat population is located in the central Sahara. The distribution area of ​​the fennec tree is quite wide. He meets:

• in the north of Morocco;
• in Egypt, in Sinai;
• on the Arabian Peninsula;
• in Sudan;
• in the Republic of Chad;
• in the south of Niger.

Fenechs “living” in desert areas choose habitats among rare thickets of bushes and grass, because the main sources of food are concentrated in them. Animals dig holes with a widespread network of galleries and holes. This makes you feel comfortable shelter from the heat of the day. Fennecs live in families. The number of “family members”, as a rule, does not exceed ten.

Interestingly, they prefer to hunt individually. If we imagine the small size of the prey, then this behavior is the most rational (there is simply nothing to share). This little fox is capable for a long time do without water. The required amount of liquid is extracted from food. Fennec's kidneys are designed in such a way that the body retains required amount water.

Fennec foxes are also indiscriminate in their food, omnivorous, and this is understandable - the desert... This animal obtains its main diet by rummaging in the sand. Production objects are:

As already mentioned, the huge size of the ears contributes to successful hunting. Fenechs have learned to put food aside for a rainy day. Fennecs need camouflage coloring (as can be seen in the photo) to hide prey rather than to hide, because natural enemies The fox doesn't. Fennec is very agile and playful. Acute night vision and an excellent sense of smell help him in hunting.

During the breeding season, which occurs once a year, males fiercely defend the boundaries of their territory. They constantly mark her and lead desperate fights with all the “violators” of boundaries. After 50 days of gestation, the female gives birth to up to 5-6 cubs, which stay with the mother for up to 3 months in a mink carefully prepared for this purpose. At birth, puppies weigh about 50 grams. The young grow quickly. At two weeks they begin to see clearly, and at three they are already interested in the world outside the hole.

When the pets are growing up, it is the male who plays the role of the main and only provider of food. At the age of about 3 months, babies become accustomed to hunting independently. At 9 months they are ready for creating own families . However, there have been cases when matured individuals stayed with their mothers and acted as “nannies.” Fenechs are extremely sociable in relation to their relatives, very “talkative”. The range of voice information transmission is quite wide. This is barking and howling, grumbling and growling, squealing and whining.

Fennec fox in your home

Fennec fox, because of its cute face, unusual appearance and small size (as confirmed by the photo), is the object of close attention of poachers. It is intensively caught both for its unusual fur and for sale, for the purpose of further keeping in captivity. The eared fox has become fashionable and popular. Everyone wants to have her at home larger number pet lovers.

However, keeping this fox at home is not an easy task. And there are several reasons for this. First of all, fennecs used to leading night image life, which, naturally, causes understandable inconvenience to the owners. Secondly, fennecs need training from a specialist, because they have a rather bad character. Thirdly, this animal will need a separate room, with maintenance in it of a temperature familiar to a small fox.

Failure to comply with the above circumstances can lead to the animal feeling discomfort, catching colds frequently, and if not properly cared for, may die. In addition, the fennec is an animal with an unpleasant, pungent odor. One of the negative factors of keeping a fennec fox at home is that veterinarians are unfamiliar with this exotic fox and are not always able to provide qualified assistance. We should not forget that Fennec - wild animal, and therefore it is difficult to predict how the little fox will behave with children. Although, oddly enough, there is evidence that the fennec gets along well with domestic cats. They enjoy frolicking together.

Physiologically, the fox is designed in such a way that it can “perform” phenomenal tricks that other animals cannot do. Such dexterity and speed of movement are not just the virtues of an animal, but instincts that preserve life and have been developed over centuries. For fans of this type of fox, you should be aware of the following features of the animal:

This article, of course, cannot fully and comprehensively describe this wonderful animal. exotic looking, his unusual image life, behavior, but the main characteristics of the fennec fox - a small desert fox with prohibitively large ears - are presented. If you are still planning to purchase this fox for home keeping, then you will at least already know the main difficulties and possible inconveniences associated with the lifestyle of this wonderful animal.

The animal world is beautiful and diverse. In an effort to be closer to nature, many families have pets. One of the exotic pets is the fennec fox. It is not difficult to buy this charming fox, but it is important to know how to properly care for it, what to feed it and what difficulties you need to prepare for.

The fennec fox is a small animal, smaller than a cat. Body weight reaches 1.5 kg, and length - 40 cm. Natural habitat - northern part African continent and the Arabian Peninsula.

Fenech is the only predatory animal that has large ears, the size of which is disproportionate to the head. They are necessary for a small animal to adapt to living in a desert area. Thanks to their surface, increased heat transfer occurs, and the fox does not overheat. The size and shape of the ears helps the fennec to hear well, so it quickly finds prey in the wild.

Down grows on the paws of the eared animal. It allows the fennec to move freely on the hot sand and not get burned. Animal skin - orange color and in its natural habitat, it blends in with the sand. This is his advantage in hunting. The potential victim does not notice the fennec cat, but he manages to attack.

Wildlife Habitat

The fennec fox lives in places with high air temperatures. For living, the animal chooses thickets of grass or small bushes. It digs holes in the ground in which entire families live, usually up to 10 individuals. The animal is predominantly nocturnal.

Hunts prey alone. It is considered an omnivore because it digs most of its food from the sand. The diet includes insects, fruits and plant rhizomes. Thanks to its excellent hearing, the fennec catches every rustle. No matter where foxes live, they are good hunters.

The lop-eared fox can remain without water for a long time. The animal obtains the moisture necessary for life from food. Knows how to store food. Capable of high jumping up to 70 cm.

Eared fox as a pet

Buying a fennec tree cheaply is difficult, but possible. Keeping a live lop-eared fox at home is more difficult than keeping a cat or dog. He needs special conditions. And we must not forget that the fox is still a wild animal.

• It is always necessary to maintain a high temperature in the room - the pet does not tolerate cold well;
• in the absence of the owners, the fennec cat must be locked in a spacious enclosure;
• can be kept at the same time as other pets;
• You should not start if there are small children in the family;
• protect from loud sounds, as this can damage the animal’s delicate hearing;
• protect from bright light.

It is better to take the animal when it is still a cub, it is easier to raise it this way. The price for a baby may be higher than for an adult, but it will be easier to form the pliable character of a fox cub from a young age. Chanterelles are shy and difficult to train.

Fenech quickly gets used to the tray. Timely vaccination is necessary. The drugs used are the same as for dogs.

The little fox will be happy if a tray with sand is organized for him. Despite living at home, the instinct to build burrows does not disappear. To save furniture from the teeth and claws of an animal, you need to purchase special toys that are sold in pet stores.

Nutrition

The decorative fennec, like the wild one, is considered an omnivore. It is better not to give food from the table, so that in the future he does not get used to it and does not beg every time his owners eat.

Buying feed is simple. You can purchase special food for cats, their cost is quite affordable. Occasionally, live mice or insects can be given. The long-eared fennec fox will be happy with a ready-made diet consisting of porridge and meat.

The following products can be included in the dwarf chanterelle menu:

• small birds;
• eggs;
• fruits of plants;
• roots and tubers;
• raw meat;
• vegetables and fruits;
• fish.

It is important to consider that the main source of moisture for tiny foxes is plant food. Therefore, these products should always be available to the fennec animal.

No matter how many different animals there are, each is individual. Over time, the owner will understand which foods are the fox’s favorite foods. Based on this, it will be possible to create a tasty and nutritious diet for your long-eared pet.

Problems of keeping fennec at home

IN daytime, growing fennec may seem like a simple idea to the owner. More often, the pet sleeps peacefully on a sunny area of ​​the floor. However, as soon as it gets dark, the behavior of your beloved fox changes radically.

At night, the little fox is active. The pet is interested in everything. He is constantly looking for something, opening it, gnawing it and turning it over.

If your fennec cat doesn't have a container with enough sand, it may try to dig a tunnel in the floor or sofa. The fox can freely climb onto the table and throw all the objects from there. If she finds a bag with some kind of bulk substance, she will drag it around the apartment.

Leaving a fox cub alone in an apartment is unsafe. Before leaving, the animal should be placed in a free cage. This will protect your pet and furniture.

• the cage should be in a warm place or close to heat sources;
• You cannot leave wires in the animal’s access area; the fox will not resist the temptation to chew them;
• It is important to remove fragile items;
• you should not make sudden movements when the fox cub is born;
• It is not recommended to make noise or talk loudly - animals are shy.

If a fennec cat escapes through a window, the chances of finding it are slim. Therefore, when leaving, you must not forget to lock the windows and doors. By observing the thermal regime, you can maintain the health of your pet. There are cases where a fox died due to a cold.

Fennec breeding

Fennec breeding occurs once a year. The female's estrus lasts 3 days. The mating season occurs in January-February. During this period, males become more aggressive.

At a time, the female brings up to 6 cubs. Newborn fox cubs weigh 50 g and look like puppies. The skin is initially white, but gradually acquires its usual color.

Females feed their cubs until they are three months old. In captivity, the life expectancy of foxes sometimes reaches 20 years.

Breeding is possible. To breed offspring, a male and a female are needed. It’s worth getting used to the fact that fennec foxes constantly squeal. This is how animals communicate with each other and their owner.

Like anyone for a pet, the little fox needs care and attention. He can make friends with both humans and other pets. Practice confirms that sometimes it is possible to train a fox to sleep at night and be more active during the day. Taking into account the rules of keeping, life with pets will bring only positive emotions to a person.

In the hot deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula lives dwarf foxfennec- a charming and touching creature smaller than a domestic cat, with huge ears and expressive eyes, which causes love at first sight for everyone.

Unfortunately, The fennec fox is an endangered species in nature and is included in the documentary photo project for animal rescue “Photo-Ark”(“The Photo Ark, National Geographic”).

The goal of this project is to document endangered animal species, to tell as many people as possible about their unique abilities survival in harsh natural conditions and force people to do their best possible efforts to their salvation.

I hope that this story will convince you that this friendly, cheerful and sweet creature has amazing qualities, and it is simply absolutely impossible to do without it on our planet :)

The fennec got its name from the Arabic word fox (fanak), and the scientific name of this miniature animal is “Vulpes zerda” (Vulpes means belonging to the genus of foxes, zerda comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning “dry” and indicates the fennec’s habitat - the hot deserts of the North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

This animal belongs to the carnivorous order, the canine family, the fox genus, and the fennec species.

There has been much scientific debate as to whether this peculiar animal can be attributed to the genus of foxes, since the fennec fox is very different from them in its structure and behavior.

The fennec fox has 32 pairs of chromosomes (in other fox species it ranges from 35 to 39) and does not have the musk glands characteristic of all foxes.

Foxes lead a solitary lifestyle, while fennec foxes are social animals.

Based on all these differences, some scientists prefer to classify the fennec special genus "Fennecus."

And he really SPECIAL, this elegant animal is smaller than a cat (the body length of the fennec fox is 30-40 cm, the height at the withers is only 18-22 cm), which weighs no more than 1.5 kg.

The first thing that attracts attention is the fennec's huge ears, reaching a length of 15 cm. These are the largest ears among predators in relation to the size of the animal's head.

Ears are extremely important for living in hot desert climates - they are perfect source of thermoregulation, because the blood vessels in the ears are located very close to the skin and allow excess heat to be removed from the body. Besides, ears are huge locators, allowing the fennec to detect the movement of its main prey in the sand - insects and small vertebrates - by the slightest rustle.

One more unique means The fennec's adaptations to desert conditions are its feet covered with thick hair, allowing the animal to easily and silently move along the hot sand (and its temperature at midday can exceed 75 degrees, the egg will surely boil!!!).

Thick coat color The fennec cat (fawn-red above, almost white below) has adapted during its evolution to camouflage itself as much as possible against the background of sand.

Young fennecs are very light, almost white, and they are almost lost against the background of the desert landscape.

Fennec, like others wild foxes itz, there are no sweat glands and it can go without water for a very long time, receiving liquid only from meat, berries and leaves. The fennec tree's tiny buds have also adapted to limit water loss.

In deserts, the fennec prefers to stay in sparse bushes or thickets of grass, which provide the animal with shelter and food.

Fenechs usually live in family groups of up to a dozen individuals and dig holes for their homes with many secret passages.

Clans usually consist of one married couple, their immature offspring and several older children. Sometimes several families settle together in one den.

Fenechs are very sociable and “talkative” animals; they are capable of making many sounds: barking, whining, grumbling and howling.

Fennec foxes are almost omnivorous, they feed on insects and small vertebrates, carrion and bird eggs, and even the fruits and roots of plants. They dig most of their prey from sand and earth.

Like other representatives of the fox family, fennecs prefer to hunt alone, making, if necessary, huge jumps for their tiny size - up to 70 cm in height and up to 120 cm in length.

Fennec cats have well-developed senses of smell, hearing and night vision.

If conditions for hunting are favorable, the fenech stores food for future use.

These fearless, agile and dexterous creatures risk entering into a fight even with a dangerous scorpion.

Fennecs breed once a year. Their mating season takes place in January-February. Pregnancy lasts about 50 days. In March-April, the female gives birth to two to six cubs. Fennec puppies weigh only about 50 grams at birth.

The mother remains with the cubs in the nesting chamber of the den, lined with warm and soft wool, feathers and grass, until two weeks of age, when the babies' eyes open. The fennec father brings food to the family, but does not enter the den, since the female is very aggressive at this time and drives him away from the puppies.

At the age of about 5 weeks, the cubs first leave the den and wander nearby, but only at the age of 3 months do they begin to travel long distances.

The average lifespan of a fennec in nature is 7-8 years, but in good conditions in captivity, animals can live up to 15 years.

The main enemies of fennecs in nature are caracals and desert eagle owls. But people are much more dangerous for fennecs. Fennec foxes are killed for their fur and are also captured and sold as pets.

The exact number of fennecs in nature is not known.

Despite the high cost, everything more people are eager to have this miniature big-eared fox as a pet.

Proper breeding of endangered exotic animals is one of the important ways to preserve species on our planet.

However, this is also a big responsibility! Fragile, flexible and easily tamed, the fennec is not the dog and cat we are used to.

Important when home care create for exotic pet suitable conditions, as close as possible to natural ones, otherwise you will only torment this sweet creature, of which there are only a few left.

What is vital for a fennec cat when kept artificially?

You need to give the animal a spacious enclosure, or better yet, a separate room. without upholstered furniture and valuable objects, otherwise the little fox will gnaw and dig a hole with secret passages in your sofa :) Fenechs tend to dig holes! Everywhere.

It is important to maintain a high temperature in the room , since fennecs are very heat-loving and catch cold easily. They must have always dry.

Fennecs are very active and make noise at night. You need to think about it so that the animal does not interfere with your family’s sleep, otherwise it will not cause love, but irritation. It will be your own fault for not organizing its content correctly. Experienced breeders say that if you take a fox cub small, you can gradually transfer it from a nocturnal lifestyle to a day one.

Fenech needs a varied diet of meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and fruits.

Need a competent veterinarian , who would understand exotic animals and their health characteristics. And this, alas, is very rare.

The Fenech needs a lot of toys and objects to chew on.

The animal needs to be walked regularly in a safe place and let them run and move around fresh air, but only in warm summers.

Fenechs are very gentle and timid animals; they absolutely cannot stand rough treatment, screams and scandals.

For 12 years, Geo magazine reporter Uwe Georg lived at home in Hamburg with a fennec fennec brought from the Sahara, which was given to the journalist by nomads in exchange for a bag of sugar. The fox was kept in a separate spacious room filled with stones and sand brought from the Sahara!

The most famous fennec in literature is the well-known fox in Antoine de Saint-Exupery's fairy tale for adults, The Little Prince. Remember: “We are responsible for those we have tamed”? Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was inspired to create this character after encountering a live fennec cat in the Sahara in 1935.

The fennec is especially revered in Algeria, where it is the national animal. The Algerian national football team is nicknamed "Les Fennecs" (Fennecs or Desert Foxes). In addition, the fennec is depicted on the Algerian ¼ dinar coin.

Fenech is a symbol of Tunisia's ecology. Figures of this animal in a blue and white suit are ubiquitous in almost every city in this country.

Note. This article uses photographic materials from open sources on the Internet, all rights belong to their authors, if you believe that the publication of any photograph violates your rights, please contact me using the form in the section, the photograph will be immediately deleted.

Fennec fox, a dwarf desert fox with unique capabilities

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Fenech is the most amazing animal of the fox family. Fenech got its name from the Arabic fanak, which means “fox”. The scientific name of the fennec fox is "Vulpes zerda" (Vulpes means belonging to the genus of foxes, zerda comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning "dry" and indicates the fennec's habitat - the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula). However, not all scientists agree that the fennec cat belongs to the genus of foxes, pointing out differences in the structure and behavior of fennec foxes from other foxes. For example, fennec foxes have only 32 pairs of chromosomes, while other fox species have between 35 and 39. Fennec foxes do not have the musk glands characteristic of foxes. Foxes lead a solitary lifestyle, while fennec foxes are social animals. Based on these differences, some scientists classify the fennec tree into a special genus - “Fennecus”.

The fennec is smaller in size than a domestic cat. The height at the withers is 18-22 cm, the body length is 30-40 cm, the tail is up to 30 cm, it weighs up to 1.5 kg. The fennec's ears are the largest among predators in relation to the size of the head; they reach 15 cm in length. The fenech needs such large ears not only because he has to learn from the slightest rustle in the sand about the movements of his main prey - insects and small vertebrates. Fennec ears are an excellent source of thermoregulation: blood vessels located in the ears and located close to the skin allow fennec cats to remove excess heat from the body, which is vital in the hot desert climate. Another means of adapting the fennec to desert conditions is the feet covered with hair, which allows the fennec to move easily and silently on the hot sand. The color of the fennec fur is most suitable for camouflage against the background of desert sands: the fur of the fennec is reddish or fawn on top, white below. Young fennecs are almost white. The fennec fox, like other wild foxes, does not have sweat glands. Fenech can go for a long time without water, getting liquid from food. Fennec buds are adapted to limit water loss.

In deserts, the fennec prefers to stay in thickets of grass and sparse bushes, which provide it with shelter and food. Fenechs live in burrows with big amount secret passages that they dig themselves. Fenechs usually live in family groups, the number of individuals in which reaches up to ten.

Fennecs hunt alone, like other representatives of the fox family. When hunting, fennecs can jump forward 120 centimeters and up to 70 centimeters in height. Fenechs are practically omnivorous. In addition to insects and small vertebrates, fennec cats feed on carrion, plant roots, fruits and bird eggs. The famous English writer Mayne Reid in his story “Young Hunters” describes how the fennec was able to break an ostrich egg:

"How will the fennec get to the contents of the eggs when he finds them? Their shell is thick and strong. To break an egg, you need to hit it hard with some hard object; How will the fennec, so weak and small, manage to punch a hole in the egg? This was a mystery to everyone, especially to the naturalist Hans. Hans was well acquainted with fennec cats. He often saw them in captivity. I knew a little about their anatomy. He knew that their skulls lacked the groove to which the temporal muscles are attached) and that, consequently, their jaws were weak - much weaker than those of common fox. So, chew it ostrich egg Fennec can't do it. He cannot break an egg with his claws, because, although he lives in a hot zone, the soles of his paws are covered with soft fur, like that of an arctic fox. This amazing feature of it has not yet been explained in any way by naturalists.
With such a body structure and weakness, Hans argued, it is as difficult for a fennec to get the contents of an ostrich egg as it is to penetrate the middle of a cannonball. Blackie said from hearsay that the fennec feeds on the white and yolk of ostrich eggs, but how he does this, the bushman had never seen and could not explain.
However, the young people did not remain unknown for long. A few minutes later the fenech himself revealed his secret to the astonished hunters.
(...)
He stood with his back to them, and the front part of his body seemed raised, as if his paws were resting on something. This "something" was an ostrich egg. Fennec rolled him in front of him along the sand, pushing him alternately with one paw and then with the other. These are his uniform movements resembled the movements of unfortunate slaves in the fulling mills, with the only difference that the fennec’s labor was not forced.
But why did the fenech roll the egg? Did he really think about rolling him to his hole? This would not be an easy job, since his underground dwelling, no doubt, was not at all in the neighborhood.
However, rolling the egg into his house was not at all the fennec’s intention. He was going to have lunch right there, or at least nearby. The spectators soon saw where his table was set. They remembered one curious story about Kaama, which they had once heard and now, looking at the efforts of the Fenech, they immediately guessed why he was doing all this.
Three or four yards from the fennec's muzzle lay a small stone, only about twelve inches high, but that was apparently enough for the fennec, because he rolled the egg right on it.
A little later the hunters became convinced that their guess was correct. When there were about three feet between the fennec's muzzle and the stone, he suddenly made a quick leap forward, dragging the egg with his paws. The hard shell hit an even harder stone, a distinct “crack!” sound was heard, and, looking more closely, the young people saw that the egg was broken into pieces.
The fennec cat's breakfast was in front of him, and he immediately began to eat".

Fenech hunts a scorpion. Video

Fennecs breed once a year. The mating season takes place in January-February. Pregnancy lasts about 50 days. In March-April, the female gives birth to two to six cubs. Fennec puppies weigh only 50 grams at birth. The mother remains with the cubs in the den until they are two weeks old, when their eyes open. The male brings food, but does not enter the den, because the female is very aggressive at this time and drives him away from the puppies. At the age of 5 weeks, the cubs first leave the den and wander around the surrounding area, but only at the age of 3 months do they begin to travel long distances.

The average lifespan of a fennec cat is 12 years.

The main enemies of fennecs in nature are desert eagle owls. However, few people have seen how other animals managed to catch fennec foxes. People are much more dangerous for fennecs. Fennec foxes are killed for their fur and are also captured and sold as pets. There is a misconception that the fennec fox is the only tamed representative of the fox order. However, this is not so: there is a breed of domestic foxes bred at the Novosibirsk Institute of Cytology and Genetics from silver-black foxes.

The cost of fennec is high. In Russia, the price of a domestic fennec fawn ranges from 25 thousand to 100 thousand rubles. However, even if you have enough money to buy a fennec, you will also have to create living conditions for it that are as close to natural as possible, otherwise the fennec will dig a much-needed hole for itself in your sofa. A domestic fennec needs at least a spacious enclosure, ideally a whole room, always with heating.

The magazine "Around the World" (No. 3, 1993) describes the story of Uwe George, a reporter for Geo magazine, who kept a fennec cat in his home for 12 years:

"The sand fox was given to me by Saharan nomads in exchange for a bag of sugar, says Uwe George. The man I traded with said that he specifically dug up one of the fox holes to give a living toy to his children.

I felt sorry for the animal, which always had to defend itself from the hungry dogs of the nomads, and took it with me. One day a fennec tree served me well. It was when my wife and I spent a few days in Africa staying in a hostel at a remote army fort. I will never forget the day of our arrival, when late in the evening, at the eleventh hour, the engine that supplies the fort with electricity broke down, and all the lights went out. Within a few minutes, the magnificent, solemn silence of the night desert was broken by a strange noise in our room: some incomprehensible crackling was heard, someone was scratching in the corner... The noise became stronger and stronger. When I lit the kerosene lamp, the picture that opened was simply creepy! Thousands of huge black African cockroaches swarmed on the stone floor. They apparently entered here through a gap between the wall and the floor. They were probably attracted by the grains that were stored in large quantities in our room. After the first glimpse morning light the terrible vision disappeared. We decided to protect ourselves from such visits in the future and placed a sand fox and two more desert hedgehogs in our room to help her. The appetite of the team of our defenders was so great that the army of cockroaches, half eaten, was forced to retreat in shame".

During his expedition, Uwe George fell in love with the charming fennec cat so much that he decided to take him with him to Hamburg. The fox, whom the reporter took in, lived in a separate room filled with stones and sand brought from the Sahara. Numerous jerboas lived under the surface layer of sand; from time to time they emerged from their shelters and began to jump - gracefully, like tiny kangaroos. The entrance to their burrows was small holes through which special tubes passed - heating channels. Although the fenech during the hunt used all his cunning to grab the jerboa: he hid, sat motionless for hours in ambush near the mink, pretending to be asleep or completely indifferent, he rarely managed to catch the jerboa. According to Uwe George, these scenes played out by the fennec were very similar to the ups and downs of the famous cartoon “Tom and Jerry”.

The most famous domesticated fennec fox is the fox in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novel The Little Prince.. Antoine de Saint-Exupery was inspired to create this character after meeting a fennec cat in the Sahara in 1935.

The fennec is especially revered in Algeria, where it is the national animal. The Algerian national football team is nicknamed "Les Fennecs" (Fennecs or Desert Foxes). In addition, the fennec is depicted on the Algerian ¼ dinar coin.

The smallest animal from the canine family, the owner of huge locator ears, the surface of which makes up one fifth of the surface of the animal’s entire body.

Taxonomy

Russian name - fenech

Latin name – Vulpes (Fennecus) zerda

English name - Fennec Fox

Order - Carnivora (Carnivora)

Family - Canidae (Canidae)

According to some zoologists, the fennec should be classified not as a genus of foxes, from which it differs in a number of characteristics, but into a separate genus - Fennecus. The fennec fox has 32 pairs of chromosomes, while other fox species have 35–39, and behaves in many ways differently from other foxes.

Conservation status of the species

The exact number of fennecs is unknown, but it appears to be declining. The species is listed in the International Red Book as causing least concern in the next 10 years - IUCN (LC), and is also included in the list of animals whose sale is regulated by the Convention on international trade species wild fauna and flora - CITES II.

Species and man

The animal got its name from the Arabic word fanak, which means fox. The Latin name also contains the word “zerda”, which comes from the Greek “xeros” (“dry”), which means that this fox lives in the desert.

Fennec cats are hunted mainly for their fur, which is highly prized among the indigenous population of North Africa. IN Lately They began to be captured and sold as exotic pets. Fennec foxes are the only foxes that are quite easily tamed and live near people.

These charming creatures are the heroes of many literary works, including the famous character from the fairy tale “The Little Prince” by A. Exupery. The animal is a symbol of the ecology of Tunisia; its figures are found in almost every city in this country. And in Algeria there is a coin with a fennec on it.

Distribution and habitats

The fenech's habitat is quite extensive - it includes the entire semi-desert North Africa from Gibraltar to Sinai, and almost the entire territory of Arabia, with the exception of its southern regions. The southern border of the range reaches Niger, Sudan and Chad, and most fennecs live in the central Sahara.

Fenech inhabits sandy deserts, but, of course, does not stay on open sand, but near thickets of grass and sparse bushes, where it finds both food and shelter. He spends the heat of the day in a complex hole with a large number of passages, which he digs himself. With the onset of dusk, the sand begins to cool, and the animal leaves the shelter and goes hunting.

Appearance and morphology

The appearance of the fennec fox is very memorable - small, smaller than a cat, a fox with huge ears and a long fluffy tail. The height at the withers of this animal is only 18–22 cm, the body length is 30–40 cm, the tail is 30 cm. Moreover, it weighs no more than 1.5 kg. The short, pointed muzzle has large black eyes, a black nose and black whiskers. But the most characteristic and outstanding thing is the ears. They are the largest among predators in relation to head size - reaching 15 cm in length and accounting for 20% of the body surface. Thanks to these powerful locators, the animal picks up the slightest rustle made by insects moving in the sand.

The fennec cat's ears are not only an organ of hearing, they help him get rid of excess heat. Very close to the surface of the skin there is a dense network of tiny blood vessels, and when the air temperature rises, the blood vessels in the ears expand, and the air blowing over the ears cools the blood washing them. The entire body of the animal is perfectly adapted to living in extreme conditions deserts. In addition to excellent hearing, he has a keen sense of smell and excellent night vision. The animal's fur-covered feet allow it to move easily and silently on the hot sand. Long and dense fur reliably protects the fennec from the heat, and its color allows it to camouflage perfectly against the background of sand: the fur is reddish or fawn on top, white below.

Fenech is able to go without water for a long time. Remarkable physiological adaptations help it retain water in the body. The fennec fox (as well as other foxes) does not have sweat glands. Normal temperature the body of the animal is 38°C, but when the air temperature rises above this indicator, it can rise to 40.9°C, which significantly reduces the amount of liquid evaporated. This fox receives up to 90% of the required moisture from food, and the metabolic rate is only 67% of that expected for a mammal of this size. Fenech is practically the only predator that lives permanently away from water sources.

Lifestyle and social organization

Fennec fox is a desert inhabitant and, like many other desert inhabitants, is characterized by a nocturnal lifestyle. During the day, the desert seems lifeless and awakens at sunset. At this time of day, the air becomes more humid, the evaporation of precious water from the body is noticeably reduced, and animals leave their burrows.

Fenechs live in family groups, the core of which is a breeding pair. Grown-up fox cubs stay with their parents for next year and often do not leave the hole when new cubs appear. Perhaps older brothers and sisters help parents take care of their babies. At least everyone plays with each other a lot, developing dexterity and strength. The number of animals in such a group reaches 10.

Small, agile fennecs have the ability to jump far (more than 1 m) and high (up to 0.7 m), which helps them hunt.

Excellent diggers, fennecs dig holes themselves; during the night the animal can dig a hole 5–6 m long. The hole is a system of extensive tunnels and cavities, equipped with several emergency entrances, allowing the fox to escape from the enemy unnoticed. The burrows are usually found under the roots of trees or shrubs, which provide support for the tunnel walls. The burrow system can be so complex and extensive that sometimes several fennec families can live together, occupying different parts of it. The hole is very important for the fennec cat. In the family’s habitat, in addition to the main burrow, there are also underground shelters, perhaps not so comfortable, but capable of protecting the animal from a suddenly attacked predator.

Observations of fennecs in the wild are complex, and information about them is based mainly on the study of these animals in captivity.

Like other representatives of the canine family, the family’s habitat is structured: there are places that are visited often, and there are areas where fennecs go only occasionally. The former are actively marked by secretions of odorous glands, urine and excrement. Marks are applied to bushes, hummocks, and grass that stand out against the background of sand. The main male marks more often than others.

Nutrition and feeding behavior

Despite the fact that the fenech is systematically classified as a predator, it is an omnivore. The fennec digs up most of its food from sand and soil. He hunts alone, like other types of foxes, he hides excess food in reserve, remembering his hiding places well.

Fenech catches small rodents, reptiles, birds, searches for bird nests, eats chicks and eggs. A large share of the diet is occupied by insects (primarily locusts) and other arthropods. Huge ears allow the animal to find prey under a thick layer of sand, and its agility and speed allow it to catch it. Fruits, roots, and tubers of plants are also food for the fennec, in addition, they almost completely provide it with the necessary moisture.

Vocalization

Fennec foxes, like other social animals, are very talkative. Both adults and puppies can make chirping and whimpering sounds, they howl, growl, squeal, and also bark, whine, and grumble. The fennec howl is loud, but short, it is descending in tone and is repeated many times.

Reproduction and raising offspring

Fenechs live in permanent pairs. They breed once a year, mating season occurs in January-February. Males at this time become aggressive and begin to intensively mark their area with urine.

Pregnancy lasts 50–53 days; and in March-April the female gives birth to 2–6 cubs in a burrow with a nesting chamber lined with grass, feathers and wool. Tiny newborn animals weigh only about 50 g. They are covered with light peach fluff, their eyes and ears are closed. In this case, the ears are folded, like those of dog puppies, and only when the fox cubs are 2 weeks old do their eyes open and small ears stand up. From this moment on, the ears are the fastest growing part of the little Fennec's body: they become bigger and bigger every day, and very quickly take on the appearance of the famous "Fennec" ears.

The mother is with the cubs in the hole constantly during the first two weeks. The father brings her food and leaves it at the entrance to the den - the female does not allow him near the cubs until they begin to crawl out of the hole at the age of 5–6 weeks. Male fennecs - good fathers and help protect the young. Gradually, the puppies begin to move further and further away from the hole. Three-month-old fox cubs are almost independent and can go with adults to considerable distances from the hole, and at 6–9 months they already reach sexual maturity.

Sometimes young fennec cats stay with their parents and help them raise new offspring. This is where the unique “sociality” of desert foxes lies - they can live in large groups, consisting of a married couple and their 7–8 offspring of different ages.

Lifespan

In nature, fennecs rarely live longer than 7–8 years; in captivity, life expectancy can be more than 20 years.

Fennec foxes at the Moscow Zoo

Fennec foxes can be seen in the Bird House on the Old Zoo grounds. Their enclosure is designed as a desert area, the animals are always visible, but if they are lying down, you need to look closely to see them against the background of sand. These omnivorous little predators are fed fruits, insects, mice, eggs and cottage cheese at the zoo.

Our fennecs' names are Fen and Finik, both of them are no longer young, they make a friendly couple, tame, especially Finik. His appearance at the zoo was dramatic.

November, slight frost. Builders from Istra call: “We caught a fennec fox here!” - “Who-who?” - “Fenech, such a little one!” - “There are no fennecs in our area...” - “Maybe he ran away from someone...?” - “Maybe it’s a cat?” - “You offend! There's something else wrong with his leg! Take it, it’ll freeze!” They brought the fox in a shoe box, which was clearly too big for him, despite the fact that the animal was an adult. Huge ears, big black eyes - there's no mistaking it. The back leg was broken. Zoo veterinarians treated the animal, but a slight lameness remained. Now he lives at the exhibition and has a girlfriend.