Saturday 7 May 2016

Vulpes zerda the Fennec Fox


Vulpes zerda the Fennec Fox

Figure 1: Fennec fox (Vulpes (Fennecus) zerda)
 
Weighing roughly one kilogram, the Fennec fox (Vulpes (Fennecus) zerda) is classified as the smallest canid (Macdonald, 2009). V. zerda is part of an old radiation, evolving 4 – 4.5 million years ago and was formerly separated as Fennecus due to its large ears, rounded skull, and “weak dentition” (Macdonald, 2009). This foxes distribution consists of the deserts of North Africa, continues throughout the Sahara and east to Sinai (Figure 2) (Macdonald, 2009; Kingdon, 1997).

V. zerda has numerous adaptations to life in the desert. The soles of the feet are covered in long, soft hairs that completely cover the pads (Macdonald, 2009; Larivière, 2002); this is an adaptation to extreme temperatures and facilitates easy movement in loose sand (Sheldon, 1992; Bekoff, 1975; Larivière, 2002; Nowak, 2005). The sandy colour of the coat camouflages the fox in the surrounding desert environments, an anti-predator adaptation, giving the fox an advantage in already harsh conditions. The thick coat also provides a thermoregulatory advantage during cold desert nights (Larivière, 2002). The Fennec fox will become cold with temperatures less than 20°C, and will neatly wrap its tail around its nose and feet to keep warm (Macdonald, 2009).

The enlargement of the bullae in the ears gives the Fennec fox excellent hearing (Larivière, 2002; Nowak, 2005).  This enables the fox to detect burrowing insects and small mammals (Larivière, 2002). Favouring desert grasshoppers and other invertebrates, such as, lizards, rodents and birds (Kingdon, 1997), V. zerda is similar to most other foxes as it is opportunistic omnivorous feeder, also consuming fruits and roots (Kingdon, 1997; Nowak, 2005).  The ability to hear prey underground is a fascinating adaptation that fox has evolved over time to gain an advantage in such harsh environmental and climatic conditions.

2 comments:

  1. I didn’t realise they were actually that small. What do we know about their social structure? Are they solitary, or do they form groups? I imagine that thermoregulatory benefits could be enhanced if they huddle together. Also, is the fox in the image injured or is that just a unique coat colouration pattern?

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    1. Although there have been no studies in the wild, studies of captive fennec foxes have shown that they have a highly social behaviour, making them popular pets in some countries (Dempsey et al., 2009). Their basic social unit is a mated male and female with their offspring, and, similarly to some other canids, the young of the previous year may remain with the family when a new litter is born (Gauthier-Pilters, 1967). Play behavior is common, even among adults, however when females are in oestrous males tend to show more aggression and will increase urine marking. Pups sleep huddled together if they are cold or far apart and away from the heating pad if they are too warm (Dempsey et al., 2009). I believe from the image zoomed in that it is simply a unique coat colouration pattern, rather than an injury.

      As further information needed to be gathered to answer your questions the references are listed below ☺

      Dempsey, J, Hanna, S, Asa, C and Bauman, K 2009. Nutrition and behavior of fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Vol. 12, No.2, pp.299-312.

      Gauthier‐Pilters, H 1967. The fennec Fennecus zerda. African Wildlife, Vol 21, pp. 117-125.

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