The Fennec Fox By: Olivia and Eliza

Facts The fennec is the smallest of all the world's foxes These foxes dwell in small communities, each inhabited by perhaps ten individuals. Like other canids, male fennecs mark their territory with urine and become aggressive competitors when mating season arrives each year.

Location This is the area in Africa where Fennec Foxes are common

More Facts Fennec Foxes have huge bat-like ears to help radiate body heat and help keep them cool in the Sahara Desert. They also have long, thick fur that insulates them during cold desert nights. fennecs are nocturnal, which helps them deal with the heat of their desert environment and keeps them cool.

Unfortunately, as with most living species, fennec fox populations are at risk. They are not only suffering from loss of habitat, but they are also largely hunted by the people of the Sahara, making them become rare in parts of Northwestern Africa. However, they are of no threat to people and their livestock. In fact, fennec foxes are important small hunters helping to control the populations of several pests, including rodents and locusts. The over-population of rodents poses a direct threat to the environment and agricultural crops. Consequently, fennec foxes, and other small carnivores are extremely important to the balance of many ecosystems.

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