this post is about fennec fox care i will try to tell you everything you need to know about owning a fennec if i dont answer your question be sure to ask me.
Fennec Foxes
Scientific Name:
Vulpes zerda (formerly Fennecus zerda)
Fennec foxes are native to desert areas of North Africa, they are the smallest wild canine about 16-18 inches in length and about 8-10 inches tall at the shoulder mature weight is only 2-4 pounds males tend to be a little larger.they can live 12-16years in captivity with proper care. Unlike other foxes, fennec foxes have very little odor. they have enormous ears up to 6 inches long which are used to dissipate body heat to allow the fox to cool off in their natural environment. they have a pretty good temperament, they are social animals and need lots of attention. With proper socialization and training they can make good pets, but it is important to remember that they are basically tame wild animals, not domesticated animals like dogs, there all born with their own personality some are nice some are not. They are very active, energetic and curious, and they are great escape artists. Any outdoor pens must be very secure as they are very good climbers and excellent diggers. Care is needed if out on a leash if they pull out of their collar they are very fast and difficult to catch.
HOUSING YOUR FOX
Fennec foxes should be kenneled when not supervised simply because they will get into everything, but when supervised can be out in the home with their owners. Indoors a dog crate can be used, and outdoor pens are fine as long as they are escape proofed ideally a pen with fence continued underground several feet and completley covered. in my outdoor pins i have used 1"x1" wire and the cage is around 8'long x 5'wide x 6'tall and i have plat forms and ramps in there too so the can use the hieght of the cage as well as the ground. the have a tube the goes to a den and inside cage/building that is heated.under the dirt,sand,rock,pebbles which ever you choose i also have wire, i used a 3"x3" metal fence panel bc they will dig out very easy, you will also need a top bc they are pretty good climbers.(i had a fennec one climb up on top my marmoset cage which was 7foot tall 1"x"wire)
Litter Training can be tricky remeber that being wild animals, house training can mean not always easy. Fennecs may take quite well to using a litter box, although you may want to use a covered box they tend to dig and make a mess. The process for house training involves taking the fox frequently to the litter box or outdoor pen, and giving it lots of treats for success going in a litter box or outside. Never punish for accidents in the house, but if you do catch your fennec in the act of peeing or pooping simply move him/her to the litter box or outside cage immediately.
FEEDING
When it comes to feeding exotic animals i tend to go over board than most people, but my animals are very healthly and breed well because of it. you have to remember when it comes to exotics research everything you can i try to duplicate thier natural diet in the wild to the "T". In the wild, fennec foxes are omnivorous, eating whatever they can find,A good quality commerical dry food makes an excellent base knowing they are canines you would think dog food would be best but they actually do best on a high grade cat food, fennecs need taurine in there diet just like cats. i also alternate the dry food with zupreem feline diet for exotics cats they dont need much just a good size tablespoon a day its very rich in vitamins, being omnivores the also need fruit and veggies.such as apples,bannanas,pears,sweet potatoes,peas,grean beans,carrots,squash mine dont like citrus fruits but your might, avoid grapes grapes are harmful to canines they can damage kidneys. i found its easy to buy frozen mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn, green beans, limas during the summer i actually give it to them frozen the seem to like it. fennec can get over wieght pretty easy so keep a good i on them over wieght is not healthy. daily feeding for my foxes- (each fox) about 1/4cup high grade dry cat food (rotate with wet)about one tablespoon zupreem feline diet wet food along with frozen mixed veggies about a 1/4cup somtimes i give them fruit but only a couple pieces (like a 1/8 of a apple or pear) bc it has so much more sugar and will make them fat. during breeding season January and February i tend to up the dry food to a 1/2 cup per fox espiecally for pregant or nursing females, it seems to relax the moms a little more so there not worried about providing food for young if they feel short of food somtimes they will get stressed and kill pups. and always provide fresh water all year round.
BREEDING
Fennec foxes usually start breeding in January and February, with kits born in March it can vary depending on location in the country and your fox i usually have a second breeding, with kits born in May or June. All babies are pulled for hand-rearing before their eyes open, usually by day 10 i have some fennecs who are not good moms and i have to pull them day one which is very hard work and time consuming so be prepared for the worst. when thet are first born depending on how many she has (any where for one to six on average) they are about the size of a mouse. A parent raised fennec fox is not nearly as calm and nice to have in captivity thats why i bottle raise all kits.i keep all our fennecs in pairs year-round, the pairs bond very close the males will bring food to the female when she has her babies,a lot of people leave there males with the females, i on the other hand do not every pair i have had the male stresses out the female and she kills the babies im not sure why this happens but when she is about to have babies i pull the male to another cage or divide them till i pull the babies. yours may do just fine with the male in there most peoples do i may just have bad luck in that part. when your female is getting close to having babies leave her be do not play or mess with her. they get stressed out very easyly and will kill kits, i even have cameras in many of the den boxes so i can tell when there are babies bc even just peeking in the box i have had females kill kits.
HAND-REARING BABIES
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HEALTH OF FENNEC FOX
You will need to find a veterinarian willing to treat your foxes, They seem to take the same health care as dog. They can be routinely vaccinated for rabies (using a killed vaccine only such as Imrab), canine distempter virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Your vet should be able to recommend a safe combination vaccine for the standard canine diseases. There is some concern over using the "typical" MLV vaccine for distemper in fennec foxes but there are vaccine lines available that are safe.i dont tend to get my foxes vaccinates i have never had any problems but it wouldnt hurt to have it done, i have just heard of foxes dieing bc a vet gave them the wrong vaccine. A yearly exam is recommended, i do advise you on deworming, heartworm preventative, and flea control if necessary.
i believe you will love your fox expierence theres nothing better then when the come squealing over to you and flip over for that belly rub.
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FOX OR EXOTICS ANIMAL LET ME KNOW
-KG
