Can you keep a fennec fox in the UK as a pet?

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Contents 

• Introduction to fennec foxes
• Is it legal to own a fennec fox in the UK?
• What are their personalities like?
• Are they smelly?
• Are they very time consuming to keep?
• Are they very noisy?
• Are they friendly?
• What is a baby fennec fox called?
• How much does a fennec fox cost?
• Interesting Fennec Fox Facts
• Where does a fennec fox live?
• What is Fennec Fox's lifespan?
• What is Fennec Fox’s size?

 

Introduction to fennec foxes

The fennec fox is one of the smallest fox species in the world, and is native to the Sahara region of North Africa.

They are most distinctive for their uniquely large ears, which allow them to dissipate their body heat in hot weather. These little foxes weigh just 3.5lb at most, and have thick, soft stroke-able coats and lithe, agile builds.

In the wild, the fennec fox is nocturnal, but in captivity they have shown some ability to adapt their natural schedules to match their new lifestyles.

They are friendly, loving little animals with lots of energy, and can even be litter trained. However, they are still essentially wild animals and it is not really advised to keep them as a pet as they would be much happier in the wild in desert environments like where they originate from in North Africa. 

Their care requirements cannot be compared to that of the cat or the dog. If you wish to consider owning a fennec fox (or any other exotic pet) it is vital to do lots of research first, to ensure that you can care for them in the way that they need.

In this article, we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about fennec fox ownership.

 

Is it legal to own a fennec fox in the UK?

Yes, it is indeed legal to keep a fennec fox as a pet, and you do not need a special licence to do so. However, it is worth talking to your neighbours and ensuring that they do not have a problem with it, and to carefully consider if your home and the surrounding area that you live in will prove a suitable environment for a fennec fox.

 

What are their personalities like?

While you cannot draw parallels between the fennec fox and pets like dogs and cats, they do have some traits in common. Their personalities and movements are somewhat cat-like, but with all of the energy and enthusiasm of the dog!

Fennec foxes spend about 15% of their time being highly active, 20% awake and chilling out, and the rest of their time asleep. They are personable and friendly, and bond with their owners, often proving very affectionate.

 

Are they smelly?

The fennec fox has rather pungent faeces, but they can be trained to use a litter box, and providing that this is not left to fester, should not prove offensive to the nose! The body of the fox itself is not strongly scented, and they are not considered to be a smelly pet.

However, they do have a scent gland at the tip of the tail that releases a strong, musky odour, but this usually only occurs if they are afraid or startled. This scent does not tend to hang around in the air, and should not prove overpowering.

 

Are they very time consuming to keep?

 

The fennec fox should not be considered to be a low-maintenance pet, and they will certainly take up plenty of your time in terms of playing with them, socialising them and keeping them entertained.

They do also spend a lot of time asleep, however, but when they are awake they are ready to play, and this trait does not diminish as they get older. They are also apt to get underfoot and zoom about, and due to their speed, size and silence, it is all too easy to inadvertently tread on them, something that you must be very careful about.

 

Are they very noisy?

Fennec foxes have a barking voice that is roughly similar to the dog, as well as a range of other sounds at their disposal including purring, growling and yipping. While some fennecs are fairly quiet, others are very vocal, and their favourite time to make a lot of noise is at night!

They will often greet you with excited yipping when you first get up, and may be very vocal when they are trying to encourage you to play with them!

 

Are they friendly?

In order to get a fennec tamed up, they need to spend plenty of time being socialised with people, particularly when they are young. Assuming that this has been done, they will very much enjoy being patted and played with, once they have got used to you.

They are intelligent animals that recognise different handlers and caregivers, and will bond with the people that spend the most time with them. They respond well to food and treats, which can speed up the bonding process somewhat!

As well as loving to play all sorts of games, when they finally quiet down, they like nothing more than falling asleep in your lap, where they can be petted like a cat.

 

What is a baby fennec fox called?

 

Baby fennec foxes are called kits, while a group of baby foxes is called a litter. Male fennec foxes are known as reynards, and females are called vixens.

Kits are born with their eyes and ears closed. The eyes open when they are about ten days old, and their ears flip up at around the same time. Newborn babies don't walk until they are about two weeks old.

 

What does a fennec fox eat?

Fennecs are omnivores, so they will eat anything you put in front of them, be it hot, sweet, meaty or bland! In the wild, they mostly eat leaves, roots, and fruits, but they can also eat insects, rodents, and even small reptiles.

However, it is essential to feed them a balanced diet and spend plenty of time researching their dietary needs. Fennec fox diet should be nutritionally complete, with plenty of protein and vegetables to keep them healthy.

 

How much does a fennec fox cost?

Fennec fox price depends on many factors and typically starts from $2,500. This is because they have particular nutritional needs and also can only produce a few litters of kits each year. They are also harder to come by than other small pets, and the foxes are often shipped from overseas.

Fennec Foxes are unique animals. They eat special diets and require experienced pet owners. It’s crucial to do research before bringing one of these adorable creatures into your home.

 

Interesting Fennec Fox Facts

 

Fennec fox ears are half of their body size

They may be small in size, but their ears can measure half the length of their body. These large ears help the animals regulate their internal temperature and radiate excess heat during hot days. (A-Z Animals)

 

Fennec foxes can breathe 690 times per minute

They have some of the fastest panting rates of any animal. In the summer, fennec foxes pant and inhale at a rate of 100 breaths per minute, which can be compared to that of a human's resting breathing rate (14 breaths per minute). 

 

Fennecs can survive without open water

Fennec foxes get all the water they need from the insects, rodents, reptiles, and eggs they consume. They can go years without drinking from a water source.

 

Fennec foxes are vocal animals

Fennec foxes are known for their ability to make a wide variety of sounds. These vocalizations consist of squeaks, barks, whimpers, and growls, as well as clicks, squeals, and other noises.

 

Where does a fennec fox live?

 

Fennec foxes live in the Sahara Desert and other regions of Northern Africa. They are found in sandy desert areas with sparse vegetation, as well as rocky terrain. (National Georgaphic)

Stable dunes are considered the ideal fennec fox habitat, which subsists in arid desert environments. The fox is capable of inhabiting the remotest sand seas and, as was mentioned before, can survive without water longer than many other animals.

 

What is Fennec Fox's lifespan?

The fennec fox has an average lifespan of 10 years in the wild, though it can live as long as 14 years in captivity. The oldest captive fennec foxes ever recorded were a male fennec - 14 years old, and the oldest female - 13 years.

 

What is Fennec Fox’s size?

The fennec fox is characterized as the smallest canid. Females are, on average in head-to-body size, around 35.8 cm (14.1 inches) with 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 inches) long tail and 9 cm (3.5 inches) long ears, and weigh 1–2 kg (2.2–4.2 lb). 

Males usually are slightly higher and, on average, in head-to-body size are around 39 cm (15.4 inches) with a 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) long tail and 10 cm (3.9 in) long ears, weighing at least 1.3 kg (2.9 lb). (Wikipedia)