Range and Habitat: Fennec foxes are widespread throughout northern Africa and the Sahara Desert. They are highly specialized for desert life and found almost exclusively in arid, sandy regions.
Fennec foxes are social and typically live in family groups of up to ten individuals. They are nocturnal (active at night) and usually spend their days sleeping in underground burrows. Fennec foxes communicate with each other through high pitched vocalizations.
Fennec foxes are omnivores and opportunistic eaters. They forage for plants, rodents, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates.
Fun Facts: Fennec foxes can survive without free standing water, getting their moisture requirements from food and having kidneys that are adapted to restrict water loss. They can run about 25 miles per hour in the sand, an impressive ability as anyone who has ever tried running on the beach would know! Fennec foxes' huge ears radiate body heat and help them keep cool in the hot Sahara Desert. Their enormous ears also enable them to hear a mouse's heart beat a foot underneath the sand!
