Fennec fox Facts

About the fennec fox

Fennecs live in North African deserts stretching from the Sinai Peninsula west to Mauritania and Western Sahara. Their giant ears release heat and pick up the sound of prey underground. The coat, ears and even the kidneys are adapted to heat and little water. Families dig burrows in the sand that can cover 120 square meters (1,300 sq ft) and connect to the burrows of other families.

Insects, small mammals and birds make up most of the diet. In the wild a fennec lives about 10 years, and in captivity up to 14. Pharaoh eagle-owls prey on pups, while jackals and striped hyenas take adults and pups alike. Exact population counts do not exist, but sighting rates suggest the species is not at risk of extinction.

Did you know?

• In North Africa, people often trap fennecs to sell or put on display.
• In some parts of the world the fennec is kept as an exotic pet.
• Most of what is known about fennec social behavior comes from captive animals.