Fact of the Day: 08/02/2023

You may have seen a little brown creature with big ears at the zoo before. Chances are it was a fennec. What is a fennec? It is a small species of fox that lives in sand areas and in the northern region of Africa. One of the most distinct features of this animal  is its ears. According to National Zoo.si.edu, “It uses those big ears to listen for sounds of prey in the sand. The ears also help dispel body heat to keep the fox cool” (par. 3). Its sand-colored fur also helps it blend in with its desert-like surroundings. Fennecs have a wide-ranging diet of different insects, rodents, birds, roots, fruits, and leaves, with the vegetable foods keeping them hydrated in the scorching heat. They tend to hunt alone during the night, but are very social most other times. These small creatures are fascinating, so make sure to look out for them next time you take a trip to the zoo!

Reference(s): https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/what-does-fennec-fox-say 

Fact Author: Bailey W.

Fact Editor: Ace

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