This animal is cute and attractive in appearance, like all foxes. Despite the fact that they are predators, one cannot help but be touched by their fluffiness, cute pointed muzzles, soft habits. In addition, the desert fox has huge ears that give its image an additional charm that will definitely not leave indifferent those who see it for the first time. It is interesting that the name of this animal is "Fenech" in translation from Arabic and means "fox".
These animals live in the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are the national symbol of Algeria and are depicted on one of the coins of this country. Eared desert foxes are small in size. At the withers, it reaches 18-22 centimeters, and weighs only 1.5 kilograms. Ears in comparison with the head seem gigantic and reach 15 centimeters in length.
Habitat
The desert fennec fox is perfectly suited for living in the desert. In order to walk on the sand, not afraid to get burned, the feet of her paws were overgrown with wool. The fur has a reddish-yellow color on the back and white on the tummy. This allows you to camouflage among the dull and monotonously painted desert landscape. Ears, like locators, allow you to hear the rustle of even the smallest vertebrate or insect, which the desert fox eats, although it does not disdain the roots and fruits of plants, eggs, carrion as food. In addition, these hearing organs help establish thermoregulation in extremely hot living conditions of the animal.
How to tolerate heat
No, she doesn’t fan herself at all to save herself from the heat. Blood vessels shine through their thin skin, which are adapted to remove excess heat from the fox's body. The internal structure of the animal is also adapted to such a life. The desert fox is able to eat only dry food and can do without water for a long time, for this its kidneys work in a special way to preserve as much moisture as possible inside the body. Fenech has no sweat glands.
Fox song
In the desert, you can often hear the sounds that these animals make. And they are very diverse. Sometimes there is barking, howling, whining, growling, and sometimes something like crying or screeching. The phoenixes repeat their “songs” repeatedly. Unlike other representatives of the fox genus, these individuals do not live alone, but in groups, which include a married couple and its cubs of different ages. They dig holes in the sand with many secret passages. Looking at the charming pussies, it is difficult to say that they guard their territory very severely and are ready to defend it in battle. So that no one doubts that this is their site, these animals mark it with feces and urine. Most of the bowel movements are left by the dominant male.
More comfortable at night
On the surface, the desert fennec fox is kept in the shade of shrubs or grass thickets. But they rarely come out of holes. Mostly they hide from the bright sun and walk only at dusk. To catch prey, these kids are able to perfectly jump in height and in length. In addition, the desert fox is a very intelligent animal. For example, to break an egg with a strong shell that cannot be cracked, Fenech quickly rolls it onto a stone, about which it breaks. Interestingly, these foxes play different games with each other. They are very interesting to watch, as they often come up with something new.
Fluffy crumbs
The adult fox is extremely cute, and what can we say about her cubs! These babies, whose sympathy is simply unlimited, are born in March-April, after the mating season, which begins in January, ends. Fenech pregnancy lasts 50 days. Tiny foxes, when born, weigh only 50 grams. Mom does not leave the hole until they open their eyes, all this time the male feeds the family, which is temporarily not allowed to the children. When the babies are 5 weeks old, they begin to leave the den, and at 3 months they travel long distances. These nimble animals are almost not afraid of anyone. They are able to escape from the caracal, and from the eagle owl, who wish to catch them. But man is more cunning than the beast.
Affectionate pets
Desert fennec fox as a pet, of course, is very cute. But often the owners forget that this is the creation of wildlife. And although he can be tamed, he needs to create living conditions close to nature, because the instincts even next to a person do not disappear anywhere in Fenech. As a home, a fox needs a hole, and the air temperature in the room must be high, since Fenech is used to living in a hot desert. Those who decide to buy a “living toy” should remember that it is very expensive (the minimum price today is 65, 000-70, 000 rubles) and requires considerable care. In good hands, the animal will live, like in nature, for about 12 years. These chanterelles are attached to their master, affectionate and playful. You need to feed them with meat, eggs, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. You can also give grain or fish.
