Choosing an Exotic Pet - Care of Exotic Pets

Vulpes zerda is more commonly referred to as the fennec fox.
Fennec foxes are 2-3 lb. canines with ears as large as 6 inches in length from Africa. Fennecs can make great pets since they can be easily trained to use a litter box and are fed an accessible high-quality dog or cat food, such as the Mazuri Exotic Canine Diet.

Quick Facts

-Fennecs can be found purring like a cat when they are happy.
-They are very social animals and live in colonies in the wild of up to 10 other foxes.

-They are listed as threatened in the wild by CITES.
-Fennec foxes are the smallest wild canid.
-During breeding season, vixens may develop “love handles,” or alopecia on their sides.
-Vixens are similar to felines in that they are seasonally polyestrous.
-Fennecs must remain warm and will shiver if the air temperature goes below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
-They are nocturnal, but do like to lie out in the sun.
-Fennec foxes can climb out of outdoor enclosures, and dig up to twenty feet underground a night, so it is important to provide a secure area for them to exercise in.
-They have a scent gland located on the tip of their tail that can give off a musky odor when the fox is startle.
-Fennecs can survive up to 14 years in captivity if well cared for.
Fennecs can also be fed supplemental fruits, raw meat, veggies, crickets, mealworms, eggs, and rodents alongside their formulated diet. Is a fennec the right pet for you?