Kingdom: Animalia | Phylum: Chordata | Class: Mammalia | Order: Carnivora | Family: Canidae
Genus: Vulpes | Species: Zerda
A Fennec fox is another specie that is well adapted to their environment, the Sahara desert, however their environment is completely different to that of the Arctic fox. To keep cool during the day the Fennec fox has large ears (usually 6 inches long) which supplies a larger surface area for its blood vessels to release excess body heat. Although their fur is thick and used for insulation, the sandy colouring aids in reflecting the suns heat off its body as well as creating a camouflage for hunting. A fennec fox has also got thick fur on its paws which has four advantages. It reduces the loss of heat during the night, insulates the paws against the desert sand, which can reach extreme temperatures, gives the fox grip and reduces the sound of its steps whilst hunting. If they have a successful hunt the body is able to absorb the water from its prey which is very important when the land is lacking in hydration. Due to their burrowing, a behaviour that creates shaded spots to sleep in, dew is sometimes revealed and for a small animal this is ideal to top up hydration.
The Fennec fox has many adaptations to keep cool but due to their nocturnal activity they are also equipped for cold temperatures. Their coat is important for keeping warm at night when the temperature drops, their coat is made up of thick fur which insulates them as well as protects their skin, ears and eyes from the sand. Their tail is bushy and thick and is used to wrap around their body when the Fennec fox is curled up to maintain their internal temperature.
Fennec foxes can go long periods without water but do need to keep hydrated when possible. To ensure that they don’t dehydrate their kidneys have adapted to maintain as much water as possible as it carries out its process. Because they are nocturnal, they have a particular retina called the tapetum. The tapetum collects light from the parts of day when it is awake which at night is reflected outwards enabling the Fennec fox to see. At night when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees Celsius they begin to shiver which creates activity for the body allowing it to warm up. During the day, the Fennec fox will only begin to pant when temperatures reach 35 Degrees Celsius, showing how well equipped they are to live within the heat. panting allows internal heat to escape and also increases the surface area of the small fox, allowing further loss of heat. when panting their respiratory rate goes from 23 breaths per minute to 690 which in turn is requiring the heart to pump the blood around the body at a greater pace. this method of cooling uses evaporated water within the internal body.