Animal Penech: description, photo

In the hot deserts of North Africa, there is an animal fenec, the photo of which you can now see. In translation from Arabic, fanak means "fox". This animal really is a small eared animal with a cunning fox's face and luxurious fur.

It was for the sake of data mechanics that representatives of fauna were killed in large quantities, and also for sale as pets. Because of such poaching, the number of desert chanterelles eerily reduced, now they are listed in the Red Book. From this article you will find out what the phenome looks like. The photos of the big-eared cute pigs will make you smile. Also learn how to survive such cute and tender looking creatures in a hot climate.

Animal fenec: photo and description

If we compare the phenic with other animals, then in size it resembles a small dog or a normal domestic cat. His body is about 34-36 cm in length, the tail is 28-30 cm. The fennel is quite small, hardly reaches 25-27 cm with a weight of one and a half kilograms. The muzzle of the animal is small, pointed, cunning, the teeth are small, sharp. Eyes are large. The main decoration of the animal - it's huge ears, it is through them you can immediately recognize the feneka.

Another distinguishing feature of the eared fox is its beautiful "fur coat". The wool of the small predator is thick, soft, pleasant to the touch. Has a light red color. Fennel Foxes are born with white fur. As they grow older, their "fur coat" gains a red color, like that of their adult parents.

Under normal conditions of life, the fennel can live 10-14 years.

Adaptation to hot climate

In a natural environment, the feneks have to live in a very hot climate. It is not every living creature that can survive in the conditions of a waterless desert. As for eared chanterelles, nature took care of them. She rewarded these animals with a body adapted to such conditions.

The ears of a feneka are extraordinarily long (14-15 cm), with the head of a fox small, they look at it completely in proportion. With such ears, the animal has an excellent hearing. But, besides this, their purpose is to cool the whole body during the heat.

Paws of the feneka are also adapted to life in the desert. The feet are so pubescent that the animal can freely move along the sand, heated from the sun.

Desert fox can for a long time do without water, dehydration of its body is not threatened. Fenecu enough of the moisture that is in food.

Habitat in the wild

In the wild, the animal fennel is encountered, unfortunately, all the less often because of a decline in the population. Territories where you can see it in the natural environment are: Niger, Sudan, Arabian Peninsula, Sinai Peninsula, northern Morocco and Central Sahara.

Desert fox, of course, lives in deserts. For their "home", the feneki prefer to choose places next to small bushes or thickets of grass. Also these animals can comfortably settle in crevices and caves. Deserts of North Africa - this is the home of eared foxes.

Lifestyle

Loneliness likes only when it goes hunting. The rest of the time the animals spend in the company of their kind, they live in small groups. They are active at night, they like to take a nap and relax during the day. Sluggish and calm, the Phoenicians can not be called. The eared fox is very bright, it is capable of making jumps per meter in length and up to 70-80 cm in height.

"Homes" small holes are used for small animals, over which small ears need to work hard. They are not used to be lazy, so in just one night they can dig a hole, the depth of which reaches 5-6 meters. To ensure a safe retreat in the event of an attack by enemies, when building a shelter, the phoenicians plan a whole system of complex moves. Without fail the burrow of the fox has 2-3 emergency exits.

What does the fennel eat?

Desert fox prefers to eat meat of birds and reptiles, as well as eating insects, especially locusts, as food. Suitable for a small predator and vegetable food: the roots of plants, berries, leaves. This animal procures food for itself, tearing food out of the sand. Fenech is an excellent hunter and rarely remains without prey. If there are unsuccessful days, in the barns of the fox food reserves are always stored for a rainy day.

Reproduction

Sexually mature phoenicians become aged 8-9 months. The mating season for desert foxes, which are monogamous animals, takes place once a year. Male and female, deciding to acquire offspring, opt for a separate territory, where they equip the burrow for future offspring. Small foxes appear lightly tiny, the weight of one baby is about 50 grams. Maternal and paternal instincts in the penitents are well developed. The male takes care of both the female and his offspring, bringing food to them in the den. Mama-fox remains in a hole with the cubs for 13-15 days.

Fox eared fox in the role of a pet

An animal is a pretty, pretty creature. Recently, lovers of exotic pets are increasingly getting these eared animals, but keeping them in the house is not so easy. They need space, sand for burrowing mink, at night such a pet can wake all households, as it is not used to sleeping at such a time. Most importantly, you need to remember that the phene is a wild predator, albeit small. If you have small children, you do not have to start a fox in the house. She gets used to people, but an innocent kid can provoke a feneka for aggression.