Living Beings
    Source-identified Vulpes zerda; documentary image Framed for display
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    2009-03-07Vulpes zerda024.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Wildfeuer · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Field guide · species

    Fennec Fox

    Vulpes zerda

    AnimaliaMammaliaCarnivoraCanidae

    The fennec is a small desert fox with exceptionally large ears. Its lifestyle depends on underground shelter and finding dispersed food rather than simply enduring open sand throughout the day.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassMammalia
    6. OrderCarnivora
    7. FamilyCanidae
    8. GenusVulpes
    9. SpeciesVulpes zerda
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Mammalia class
    19. Theria clade
    20. Eutheria clade
    21. Boreoeutheria clade
    22. Laurasiatheria superorder
    23. Carnivora order
    24. Caniformia suborder
    25. Canidae family
    26. Vulpes genus
    27. Vulpes zerda species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    Large ears, pale fur and a small body make its appearance distinctive.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Habitat and range

    Sandy, arid habitats with suitable digging ground and some food-producing vegetation provide habitat.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Diet and nutrition

    Small animals, insects and plant material contribute to a flexible diet. Digging helps expose concealed foods.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Behavior and activity

    Family groups use burrows for refuge. Activity is concentrated in cooler periods, reducing exposure to demanding daytime conditions.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Geographic distribution

    The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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