For people that are looking for something a little different when it comes to a house pet, why not consider an African Fennec Fox? Provided the local laws in your area permit the keeping of exotic animals this could very well be the pet you have been waiting for. Fennec foxes are native to Northern Africa within the desert regions, and are considered very social and well-mannered creatures. This is a very passive and relaxed canine and has been said to be the smallest in the world.
One really great aspect about the Fennec fox is that it will live between 12-16 years in captivity, making this pet a welcome addition to a home that has a small family to bond with. With the right amount of training and socialization the Fennec fox can become very much like your typical household dog. What is really interesting about the Fennec fox is that you can actually train them to use a litter box, rather than have them go outside. This is due to their tiny structure, and private nature while doing its business. You will however, want to ensure that the litter box is covered, as the Fennec fox is an active and avid digger. This will keep the litter where it belongs and not all over the house.
Fennec foxes are very curious and active animals, they can be very social and will warm up to their owner relatively quickly. The Fennec fox will even take to strangers with the right socialization and patience. Fennec foxes are very small ranging from 8-10 inches tall, and 16-18 inches long. They are very meager in weight topping in at a whopping 2-4 pounds. These tiny little canines can be very quiet yet extremely friendly and will demand a lot of attention from their owner or the family that it lives with. This makes the Fennec fox a great addition to the home, even with children involved. You will need to keep a close eye on the Fennec fox inside and outside of your home, as they are great escape artists and are more than a little curious. They are a very energetic and active breed and will surely keep you busy most of the time.
Fennec foxes are great climbers and even better diggers; there must be some form of supervision at all times when the fox is not in a pen or cage. With the speed that a Fennec fox can display, you must be very careful when taking a Fennec fox out for a walk on a lead. Should they get startled they may wriggle free from their collar and you will definitely have a chore catching the little fox? Another wonderful thing about the Fennec fox is that they are practically odorless, in comparison to other foxes. This is great for an animal that will be in your home at all times, as we all know some animals can really stink a home up relatively quickly. Fennec foxes regardless of their small size have absolutely enormous ears. The general measurement of the fox’s ears is 6 inches; this is huge in comparison to the size of their head. It is not that the fox needs those big ears to hear well, as much as it is for heat dissipation. While in the desert region in Africa the large ears allow a great measure of rapid heat loss.
The Fennec fox likes the warmer climate, yet when it gets too hot you can see them rapidly panting. If the temperature falls below 68 degrees F they will start to shiver in an attempt to keep warm. It is always best to keep a Fennec fox in a warmer climate. When the Fennec fox is most comfortable and happy, you can find it making very interesting little noises. Many times people will refer the sound to the purring of a cat, and many people find this absolutely adoring. The Fennec fox is relatively easy to feed, with eggs, fruits, vegetables, premium dog or cat food, mealworms, crickets, and wet dog or cat food being the most common elements in their captive diet. This is because the Fennec fox is omnivorous and will eat what ever it can find in the wild.
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