Fennec Fox
Vulpes zerda
- Where
- North Africa's Sahara Desert
- Habitat
- Sand dunes and rocky outcrops in arid desert
- Diet
- Small rodents, insects, fruits, and vegetation
- Size
- About 15 inches long (including tail), weighing 3 pounds
- Lifespan
- Up to 10-12 years in the wild
- Conservation
- Listed as Least Concern, but habitat loss and hunting threaten populations
Fun Facts
- Their oversized ears help keep them cool by radiating heat.
- They can hear prey underground from over a mile away!
- Baby fennec foxes are born with their eyes open and can walk at birth.
Learn More
Thick, cream-colored fur helps reflect desert sun
Large ears have black tips that help detect subtle temperature changes
Strong back legs enable jumping long distances in sand