Vulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6331155 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6335065 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03ACCF40-BF15-FFEA-7B9F-F5EAF9E8D88C |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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Vulpes zerda |
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35. View On
Fennec Fox
French: Renard fennec / German: Fennek / Spanish: Fenec
Taxonomy. Canis zerda Zimmermann, 1780 View in CoL ,
Sahara region.
Previously placed in the genus Fennecus now included in the genus Vulpes . Two previously described races, saarensis and zaarensis are synonyms. Monotypic.
Distribution. Widespread in the sandy deserts and semi-deserts of N Africa to N Sinai. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 33-3-39- 5 cm, tail 12- 5-25 cm; weight 0-8- 1-87 kg.
The Fennec Fox is the smallest canid, with extremely large ears that give it the greatest ear to body ratio in the family. The muzzle and legs are slender and delicate. Pelage is typically sandy or cream-colored, although it may have a light fawn, red or gray cast; underparts are paler. The ears are darker dorsally and white or whitish inside and on the edges. Eyes are large and dark; dark streaks extend from the inner eye down and outward to either side of the muzzle. Upperparts of limbs reportedly colored reddish-sandy in individuals from North Africa, whereas those from farther south are nearly white in these areas. The coat is very thick and long; dense fur on the feet extends to cover the pads. The tail is also well-furred, with a darker tip and a slightly darker spot covering the caudal gland. Females have three pairs of mammae. It has a vulpine skull, but with very large tympanic bullae. The canines are small and narrow. The dental formulais13/3,C1/1,PM 4/4, M 2/3 = 42.
Habitat. Fennecs subsist in arid desert environments. Stable sand dunes are believed to be ideal habitat, although the foxes also live in very sparsely vegetated sand dunes near the Atlantic coast. Annual rainfall is less than 100 mm per year on the northern fringe of the Fennec’s distribution. On the southern fringe, it may be found up to the Sahelian areas that receive as much as 300 mm rainfall per year. In the Sahara, sparse vegetation is usually dominated by Aristida spp., and Ephedra alata in large sand dunes. On small sand dunes, it is dominated by Panicum turgidum, Zygophyllum spp., and sometimes by trees like Acacia spp. and Capparis decidua.
Food and Feeding. Fennecs are omnivorous, consuming insects, small rodents (e.g. Jaculus jaculus, Gerbillus spp. , and Meriones spp. ), lizards (e.g. Acanthodactylus spp.), geckos (e.g. Stenodactylus spp.), skinks (e.g. Scincus albifasciatus), eggs, small birds (e.g. larks and sandgrouse), and various fruits and tubers. Fennecs hunt alone. They have not been seen using the “mouse jump” hunting strategy typical of most fox species, but reportedly dig to find insects and small vertebrates. Like other foxes they cache food by burying it.
Activity patterns. Primarily nocturnal, although crepuscular activity is also reported. In southern Morocco, animals were commonly active in winter until around midmorning.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Movements and home ranges are unknown. Fennecs are thought to be moderately social, with the basic social unit believed to be a mated pair and their offspring. Like some other canids, the young of the previous year may remain in the family even when a new litter is born. Play behavior is common, even among adults, although males show more aggression and urine-mark around the time of estrus. Captive Fennecs engage in high levels of social behavior, and typically rest in contact with each other.
Breeding. First mating is reported to occur at nine months to one year. Fennecs mate in January and February and give birth in March and April. They most commonly give birth once annually, but more than one litter per year is possible under some conditions. The copulatory tie is exceptionally long, lasting as much as two hours and forty-five minutes. Gestation is 50-52 days. Litter size ranges from 1-4, and weaning takes place at 61-70 days. Dens are always dug in sand, in open areas or places sheltered by plants such as Aristida pungens and Calligonum comosum. Dens may be huge and labyrinthine, especially in the most compacted soils, covering up to 120 m? and with as many as 15 entrances, and may be close together or even interconnected. In soft sand, dens are usually small and simple, with just one entrance and one tunnel leading to a chamber.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Listed as “lower risk/least concern” in Morocco, which probably reflects the true status across their range. Legally protected in Morocco (including the Western Sahara). Current population size is unknown butis assumed to be adequate, based on observations that the Fennec Fox is still commonly trapped and sold commercially in northern Africa. In southern Morocco, Fennecs were commonly seen in all sandy areas away from permanent human settlements. The primary threat appears to be trapping for photographic exhibition, sale to the pet trade or tourists, and for fur by the indigenous people of North Africa. Though restricted to marginal areas, new permanent human settlements such as those in southern Morocco have resulted in the disappearance of Fennecs in these areas.
Bibliography. Asa et al. (2004), Bauman (2002), Bekoff et al. (1981), Bueler (1973), Clutton-Brock et al. (1976), Coetzee (1977), Cuzin (1996), Dorst & Dandelot (1970), Dragesco-Joffé (1993), Ewer (1973), Gangloff, L. (1972), Gauthier-Pilters (1962, 1967), Koenig (1970), Nowak (1999), Osborn & Helmy (1980), Petter (1957), Rosevear (1974), Saint Girons (1962), Saleh & Basuony (1998), Stains (1974), Valdespino (2000), Valdespino et al. (2002), Volf (1957).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
