Desert Fox

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Super little fox Pratim, he is quite a cute little chap, very interesting reading your write up on him as well

Thanks And My Pleasure Ros P.....

15cm*15cm......The fennec fox or fennec (Vulpes zerda) is a small nocturnal fox found in the Sahara of North Africa. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat. Its name comes from the Arabic word فنك (fanak), which means fox, and the species name zerda comes from the Greek word xeros which means dry, referring to the fox's habitat. The fennec is the smallest species of canid in the world. Its coat, ears, and kidney functions have adapted to high-temperature, low-water, desert environments. In addition, its hearing is sensitive enough to hear prey moving underground. It mainly eats insects, small mammals, and birds. The fennec has a life span of up to 14 years in captivity. Its main predators are the African varieties of eagle owl. Families of fennecs dig out dens in sand for habitation and protection, which can be as large as 120 m2 (1,292 sq ft) and adjoin the dens of other families. Precise population figures are not known but are estimated from the frequency of sightings; these indicate that the animal is currently not threatened by extinction. Knowledge of social interactions is limited to information gathered from captive animals. The species is usually assigned to the genus Vulpes; however, this is debated due to differences between the fennec fox and other fox species. The fennec's fur is prized by the indigenous peoples of North Africa, and in some parts of the world, the animal is considered an exotic pet.The smallest species of fox, Fennec foxes are native to the Sahara desert in Africa. Adults average less than five pounds. Omnivorous, they feed on insects, small rodents and various desert plants. Their oversized ears radiate out excess heat, helping to keep them cool in the desert heat. The huge ears are also useful in locating their prey and avoiding predators. Pet fennecs enjoy mealworms, french fries, raisins and fresh vegetables. Lacking the musk glands of other foxes, they make good, if hyperactive p