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Fennec
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Population
The fennec is rare and is
not often seen. It is often hunted by humans, even though the fox does not
cause any harm to human interests.
Domestication
The fennec is classified
under CITES as an Appendix II species (here): "species not necessarily
threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to
avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (CITES website)." In
the United States there is a relatively established community of Fennec owners
and breeders.
The fennec is considered
the only species of fox which can properly be kept as a pet. Although they
cannot be considered completely domesticated, they can be kept in a domestic
setting similar to dogs or cats, though several factors make it important to
ensure that they do not escape. Their speed and agility (they can jump four
times their own body length) combined with their natural chase instinct creates
the risk of a fennec slipping its harness or collar. Further, since they are
adept diggers (they can dig up to twenty feet a night in their natural
environment), outdoor pens and fences must be extended many feet below ground. Escaped
fennec foxes are extremely difficult to recapture.
Pet fennecs, being the most
social among foxes, are usually very friendly towards strangers and other
household pets. However, they are extremely active, and need outlets for their
energy; they may exhaust other household pets with their playfulness.
The vast majority of their
diet in the wild consists of meat and protein sources like insects. Any diet in
a domestic setting should reflect this. Food sources commonly used include (but
are not limited to) high quality meat-rich dog food, wild canine food brands,
cat food, raw meats, insects, mealworms, custom dietary mixtures, or any
combination thereof.
The legality of owning a
fennec, as with many exotic pets, varies with jurisdiction, so check with local
animal control authorities before considering adoption or purchase. Also,
because it is an exotic, not all veterinarians will treat fennecs, so make sure
to find one who will provide vaccinations and any necessary medical care. Furthermore,
consider that fennecs are not often able to be housebroken, although a few pet
owners have reported being able to litter-train their fennec foxes.
The issue of owning exotic
pets is controversial. Requirements of behavior, diet, environment,
socialization, and the demands of the time and attention needed to keep an
exotic are often very high. Such factors may be unconducive to the lifestyle of
an average person, be more than they are personally willing to invest, or even
require special expertise. All these factors, along with the real or perceived
danger in handling non- or semi-domesticated animals, are often strongly cited
as reasons for never considering the purchase or adoption of an exotic pet. Whatever
the decision, such factors must be considered in responsible ownership and care
of any pet.
References
- Asa et al (2004). Vulpes zerda. 2006 IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database
entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data
deficient
Population
The fennec is rare and is
not often seen. It is often hunted by humans, even though the fox does not
cause any harm to human interests.
Domestication
The fennec is classified
under CITES as an Appendix II species (here): "species not necessarily
threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to
avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (CITES website)." In
the United States there is a relatively established community of Fennec owners
and breeders.
The fennec is considered
the only species of fox which can properly be kept as a pet. Although they
cannot be considered completely domesticated, they can be kept in a domestic
setting similar to dogs or cats, though several factors make it important to
ensure that they do not escape. Their speed and agility (they can jump four
times their own body length) combined with their natural chase instinct creates
the risk of a fennec slipping its harness or collar. Further, since they are
adept diggers (they can dig up to twenty feet a night in their natural
environment), outdoor pens and fences must be extended many feet below ground. Escaped
fennec foxes are extremely difficult to recapture.
Pet fennecs, being the most
social among foxes, are usually very friendly towards strangers and other
household pets. However, they are extremely active, and need outlets for their
energy; they may exhaust other household pets with their playfulness.
The vast majority of their
diet in the wild consists of meat and protein sources like insects. Any diet in
a domestic setting should reflect this. Food sources commonly used include (but
are not limited to) high quality meat-rich dog food, wild canine food brands,
cat food, raw meats, insects, mealworms, custom dietary mixtures, or any
combination thereof.
The legality of owning a
fennec, as with many exotic pets, varies with jurisdiction, so check with local
animal control authorities before considering adoption or purchase. Also,
because it is an exotic, not all veterinarians will treat fennecs, so make sure
to find one who will provide vaccinations and any necessary medical care. Furthermore,
consider that fennecs are not often able to be housebroken, although a few pet
owners have reported being able to litter-train their fennec foxes.
The issue of owning exotic
pets is controversial. Requirements of behavior, diet, environment,
socialization, and the demands of the time and attention needed to keep an
exotic are often very high. Such factors may be unconducive to the lifestyle of
an average person, be more than they are personally willing to invest, or even
require special expertise. All these factors, along with the real or perceived
danger in handling non- or semi-domesticated animals, are often strongly cited
as reasons for never considering the purchase or adoption of an exotic pet. Whatever
the decision, such factors must be considered in responsible ownership and care
of any pet.
References
- Asa et al (2004). Vulpes zerda. 2006 IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database
entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data
deficient
The fennec is rare and is
not often seen. It is often hunted by humans, even though the fox does not
cause any harm to human interests.
Domestication
The fennec is classified
under CITES as an Appendix II species (here): "species not necessarily
threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to
avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (CITES website)." In
the United States there is a relatively established community of Fennec owners
and breeders.
The fennec is considered
the only species of fox which can properly be kept as a pet. Although they
cannot be considered completely domesticated, they can be kept in a domestic
setting similar to dogs or cats, though several factors make it important to
ensure that they do not escape. Their speed and agility (they can jump four
times their own body length) combined with their natural chase instinct creates
the risk of a fennec slipping its harness or collar. Further, since they are
adept diggers (they can dig up to twenty feet a night in their natural
environment), outdoor pens and fences must be extended many feet below ground. Escaped
fennec foxes are extremely difficult to recapture.
Pet fennecs, being the most
social among foxes, are usually very friendly towards strangers and other
household pets. However, they are extremely active, and need outlets for their
energy; they may exhaust other household pets with their playfulness.
The vast majority of their
diet in the wild consists of meat and protein sources like insects. Any diet in
a domestic setting should reflect this. Food sources commonly used include (but
are not limited to) high quality meat-rich dog food, wild canine food brands,
cat food, raw meats, insects, mealworms, custom dietary mixtures, or any
combination thereof.
The legality of owning a
fennec, as with many exotic pets, varies with jurisdiction, so check with local
animal control authorities before considering adoption or purchase. Also,
because it is an exotic, not all veterinarians will treat fennecs, so make sure
to find one who will provide vaccinations and any necessary medical care. Furthermore,
consider that fennecs are not often able to be housebroken, although a few pet
owners have reported being able to litter-train their fennec foxes.
The issue of owning exotic
pets is controversial. Requirements of behavior, diet, environment,
socialization, and the demands of the time and attention needed to keep an
exotic are often very high. Such factors may be unconducive to the lifestyle of
an average person, be more than they are personally willing to invest, or even
require special expertise. All these factors, along with the real or perceived
danger in handling non- or semi-domesticated animals, are often strongly cited
as reasons for never considering the purchase or adoption of an exotic pet. Whatever
the decision, such factors must be considered in responsible ownership and care
of any pet.
References
- Asa et al (2004). Vulpes zerda. 2006 IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database
entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data
deficient