Fennec

Class: Mammalia (Mammals)

Order: Carnivora (Carnivores)

Family: Canidae (Canines)

Weight: up to 1.5 kg

Height: 18-22 cm

Body length: 30-40 cm

Coloration: Light reddish coat, almost white fur on the belly. The animal’s tail is bushy with a black tip.

Age of sexual maturity: 9-11 months

Gestation period: 50 days

Lifespan: 7-8 years, up to 20 years in captivity

Habitat range: The largest population of fennecs inhabits the central Sahara, although they are found from northern Morocco to the Sinai and Arabian Peninsulas, and south to Niger, Chad, and Sudan.

Diet: Eggs, insects, lizards, rodents, birds

Did you know?

• Despite their short legs, fennecs can reach speeds of up to 32 km/h.
• When content, fennecs purr like cats.
• The fennec is considered the national animal of Algeria.
• Fennecs feel cold at temperatures below 20°C.
• The fennec has the largest ears relative to body size among carnivores. This unique tool allows them to pick up even the slightest sounds over long distances. The faintest air movement reaching the fennec’s ears enables it to pinpoint the exact location of rodents, insects, reptiles, and other “treats” often hidden under the sand.