Size, Body Covering and Characteristics
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The average size of a fennec fox has a body length of 9 - 16 inches and is usually about 8 inches tall. Its body is covered with thick fur to keep itself warm in the cold desert nights. It is the smallest species of canid in the world and it lives 11 -16 years.
In order to survive the harsh deserts, the fennec fox has many adaptations. One adaptation is padded paws, so the fennec fox can run over rocks and hot sand without hurting itself. Another adaptation of the Fennec Fox is its huge ears. These allow them to hear bugs and rodents underground to eat. They also provide a lot of extra body surface area to help dissipate body heat and keep the fox cool during hot days on the desert.
The enclosure was sandy, with a couple of logs to sleep in and on, and an open cave that was hollowed out so the foxes can rest in the shade. It also has a few tufts of grass to make it seem like the habitat of the fennec fox (deserts in North Africa. The photo of the enclosure was taken in 2007, so it has changed quite a bit since then. The enclosure and the habitat of the fennec foxes are very similar, with the enclosure replicating what life would be like in the desert. The few tufts of grass help the foxes to feel at home in the enclosure. |