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The Fennec Fox weighs up to 3.3 pounds with a body length of up to 16 inches. The tail is an additional 10 inches or so, and the ears can be 6 inches long. The coats are often a sandy color, allowing them to blend with their desert surroundings. Its characteristic ears serve to dissipate heat and to hear the movement of prey at night. Its ears are sensitive enough to hear large insects, such as beetles and locusts walk on the sand. Its coat reflects sunlight during the day and conserves heat at night. The soles of its feet are protected from the hot sand by thick fur.
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At night, the Fennec Fox hunts rodents, insects, birds, and eggs of birds.
Much of the diet is desert vegetation, from which the Fennec Fox gets most
of its water. This consists of grasses, some roots, and some fruit and
berries. The Fennec Fox is considered the only species of fox which can properly be kept as a pet. Although it cannot be considered domesticated, it can be kept in a domestic setting similar to dogs or cats. This is legal in the USA, Canada, Japan and other countries. In the United States and Canada there is a relatively established community of Fennec Fox owners and breeders. Pet Fennec Foxes, 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. Moreover, instinctual behaviors, such as hiding food in case of famine and attempting to burrow into furniture to build a nest, can also add to the difficulty of their care. Fennec Foxes are often not able to be housebroken, although a few owners have reported being able to litter-train their Fennec Foxes.
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