The desert fox Morocco or the Fennec animal (or Vulpes zerda) lives in North Africa’s Sahara desert, from Morocco to Egypt, as well as the Arabian desert (Saudi Arabia, United Arabic Emirates, Yemen…) It is one of the cutest exotic animals that live in the Sahara desert, their beige-ish color helps them blend in with the dunes, their cute huge ears help them adapt and survive in the wild, they can hear the heartbeats of their prey from a long distance, and they can also hear predators.. their prey are usually insects, small mammals, and birds. Fennec foxes remain small even as adults, with a body length of 24-41 cm (9-16 in) and a height of around 20.3 cm (8 in). Aside from their enormous ears, fennec foxes are known for their furry bushy tail, which measures between 17 and 30 centimeters and adds to their cuteness.
They weigh about 0.7-1.6 kg (1.5-3.5 lb) and can live up to 10 years in the wild, but if they are domesticated and well cared for, their life span can be extended to 14 years.
Fox in the Moroccan desert,
In Morocco’s Sahara desert (Erg Chebbi or Erg Chgaga), you can see some of these cute little creators at nomad families, some local kids capture them and try to sell them to tourists or they try to get tips from tourists who love taking pictures of fennecs or of themselves holding those exotic pretty babies. Unfortunately, some visitors are uninformed about desert foxes and take them home.
So we strongly advise you not to buy one or even tip those kids in exchange for taking photos; you can help them and the Saharan people in other ways, not by contributing to what they do to fennec foxes.
Desert fox classification
They are not yet classified as endangered species, but unfair trade is forcing them to live in environments that are not natural to them, and sometimes with people who do not know how to treat and train them. And this could endanger their existence gradually.
Nonetheless, you could have one as long as you obtain them legally through breeders and have all of the necessary information about how to train and treat them. Also, consider the disadvantages. Do not be fooled by their cuteness; fennec foxes can be hyperactive and scream for minutes on end, especially young ones. They can also smell. Before considering them as domestic pets, you must be prepared and dedicated, as well as have a suitable location.
Unfortunately, year after year, there are fewer and fewer exotic animals in the desert, primarily due to human settlements and buildings, as well as exploration of the Sahara by cars, ATVs, and motorcycles. Camel Excursions provides the best tours in Morocco, and a 4 days desert trip is one of the trips where you can hold a desert fox in Morocco and take photos:
Fennec (Desert Fox Morocco)
It is a small crepuscular fox that is native to the deserts of North Africa. Its range extends from the Western Sahara to the Sinai Peninsula. Its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat and listen for underground prey, are the feature that most distinguish it from other animals. The smallest species of fox that exists is called the fennec.
desert Fox Adaptations to the Sahara Conditions
The sandy Sahara Desert and other parts of North Africa are home to foxes known as fennecs. Their nocturnal habits and the physical adaptations they have developed help them survive the searing heat of the desert environment.
Foxes are able to maintain a comfortable body temperature thanks to their unique ears, which resemble bat wings. In addition to this, they have long, thick hair that acts as an insulator during chilly nights and shields them from the heat of the sun during the day. Even the fox’s feet are covered in hair, which not only allows them to function like snowshoes but also shields them from the extreme heat of the sand. Because fennec foxes make their homes in burrows, the feet of the animal serves as efficient shovels for the species’ frequent digging.