3. Appearance
Fennec Foxes look like miniature foxes. They are the size of a
small cat when they are fully grown, but they have enormous
ears. Fennec Foxes can weigh between 1 and 1.5 kgs. A Fennec
Fox’s tail can grow between 18 - 31 centimetres long. Their
body can be from 24 to 41 centimetres in length. A Fennec Fox
ranges in colour from a reddish cream to light fawn to almost
white, but their underside is all white. Their tails are bushy with
black tips.
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4.
5. How does this animal move?
The fennec fox has four legs and it uses them to move. The fox's
feet are hairy which protects them from extremely hot sand.
Even though their legs aren't very long, Fennec Foxes can run
very fast, and if they escape they will be very hard to catch as
they eagerly rush away to explore and hunt. Fennec Foxes can
run up to 20-30 miles per hour or around 30-48 kilometres per
hour.
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6.
7. Habitat
Fennec Foxes live in underground dens. Fennec foxes live
in deserts and semi-desert habitats. They can be found
throughout the deserts of the Sahara and throughout North
Africa. They burrow into sand dunes during the day, to avoid
the extreme heat. Their enormous ears help them cool down in
the hot sun. They also have long, thick hair that insulates them
during cold nights and protects them from hot sun during the
day. The fox's feet are also effective shovels for frequent
digging.
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8.
9. DIET
Fennec foxes are resourceful eaters. Fennec Foxes eat mostly
plants but also eat rodents, eggs, reptiles, and insects. Fennec
foxes are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and
animals. Fennec Foxes can survive for long periods without
water.
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10.
11. Behaviour
These foxes dwell in small communities, each inhabited by
perhaps ten individuals. Both adults and pups chatter, whimper,
wail, growl and shriek. Fennec Foxes are also very social and the
pups love playing. Fennec foxes are nocturnal animals and need
places to sleep during the day for shelter from the hot desert
sun as well as from predators.
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12.
13. Enemies
The Fennec Fox has many enemies such as the eagle owl, but
they also are enemies with caracals, jackals, striped hyenas, and
the saluki, a greyhound-like domestic dog. Fennec Foxes use
their ears to hear predators and prey underground and in the
sky.
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14.
15. Fun Facts
a) Fennec Foxes are sometimes called Dessert Foxes
b) They are the world's smallest fox species.
c) Local peoples also hunt the fennec fox for its fur.
d) Male Fennec Foxes mark their territory with urine.
e) Little is known about the status of wild fennec fox
populations.
f) Fennec Foxes have multi-purpose ears.
g) Their scientific name is Vulpes Zerda.
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17. Index
o Fawn-a light brown colour
o Eagerly- used to emphasize a strong desire to do or have
something.
o Insulates-a material or substance that is used to stop heat,
electricity, or sound from going into or out of something.
o Frequent-occurring or done many times at short intervals
o Resourceful-having the ability to find quick and clever ways to
overcome difficulties
o Dwell-live in or at a specified place
o Inhabited-live in or occupy
o Caracals-a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle
East, Central Asia and India.
o Jackals- a medium-sized omnivorous mammals 9
18. 1
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Across
1.A nocturnal animal that
hunts chickens
3.A really hot sandy plain
5.The biggest desert in the
world
7.The opposite of big
Down
2.The smallest fox species in
the world
4.You hear with these
6.Squirrles use this to
balance on trees
