Fennecs are small, desert-dwelling foxes that reside in North Africa and the Middle East. Like other foxes, they are carnivores and their diet consists mainly of small rodents and other animals.
However, their peculiar hunting style – which involves leaping onto the back of their prey and holding on with their sharp claws – means that they also eat a variety of larger creatures, including birds and reptiles.
What does a fennec fox eat?
The fennec fox is a nocturnal creature that sleeps during the day and hunts at night. It mainly feeds on small mammals, insects, and plants. They are also known to eat lizards, rodents, birds, and eggs.
A fennec fox lives in deserts and they can be found in North Africa and the Middle East. These emerging creatures from the kingdom of Animalia are usually found near the oases and other sources of water.
They have enormous ears, the most distinctive feature that helps them locate underground prey. Fennec foxes have thick fur that helps them survive in the desert climate. They will also scavenge on animal carcasses or plant material if necessary.
How Much Do Fennec Foxes Eat?
Fennec foxes eat a total of 1-2 pounds of food per day, which means they consume a diet equal to a small cat or dog. They need to consume about 1/3 of its body weight in food each day.
Usually, they are provided a commercial wild canid diet in the zoo that consist of 10% plants and 90% animals. It is challenging to provide such a diet with consistency, but it is necessary to keep them healthy.
When Do Fennec Foxes Like To Eat?
Fennec foxes typically hunt by listening for sounds made by prey. They have a keen sense of hearing that allows them to detect prey from as far away as 1 mile (1.6 kilometers).
When they hear sounds of a potential meal, they will follow it until they can see it with their eyes. At night-time or when the sky is cloudy, fennec foxes rely primarily on their sense of smell for hunting food sources. When the sky is clear and there is moonlight out, they will use their sight to hunt.
What is the fennec fox’s favorite food?
The fennec fox is considered an extremely opportunistic feeder. Therefore, they like to feed on anything they find. However, the favorite food of the fennec fox is carrion, which is an essential source of protein and other nutrients.
They are also fond of:
- beetles
- grasshoppers
- locusts
- ants
- eggs
- fruits
- rodents
Most of them prefer less challenging and smaller prey. As they are omnivores in the wild, many owners feed a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and dog or cat food.
Fennec fox diet as a pet
Fennec foxes are fed with top-quality canned or dry dog or cat food. For a broad nutritional spectrum, feed them with dozens of mealworms, chicken eggs, crickets and silkworms.
Mostly, owners feed the captive fennec fox with pinkie mice, good quality canned cat or dog food, vegetables, fruits, a canine diet like Mazuri, and commercially available raw meat.
Recommended Animal Food Products
Prairie by Nature’s Valley:
It is a superior quality frozen or canned animal food enriched with valuable nutrients that contain few grains. Prairie by Nature’s Valley is a company that has been making natural pet foods for over 50 years.
They are passionate about their products and make sure to use high-quality ingredients. They have a variety of products, including dry food, wet food, treats, supplements, and more.
Wellness:
This special formula contains animal fat and taurine. It has no chemical preservatives and it is created from salmon, turkey and herring. Wellness is a family-owned company that has been around since the 1960s.
They are known for their holistic approach to animal health. Wellness offers a variety of supplements and foods for all types of pets. The product contains a special formula that is created with taurine and animal fat. The product promotes wellness in animals through natural means.
Azmira:
Azmira is an animal health company that specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of nutraceuticals. They provide nutritional supplements for animals of all sizes as well as pet food supplements.
Their animal food contains natural ingredients which are good for fennec foxes. However, they might also contain some chemical preservatives.
Mazuri:
Mazuri is a company that manufactures and distributes animal feed, pet food, supplements, and other products for the animal industry.
Their products are produced for non-domestic cats. Moreover, they contain natural ingredients that are a perfect choice for fennec foxes.
Recommended Natural, Whole Foods
Natural and unprocessed foods are highly-recommended food for fennec foxes. Raw meat like beef muscle, lamb, pork, chicken muscle, liver, kidney, codfish, and oysters are specifically fed to them.
Fennec foxes can also eat a wide range of uncooked or raw seafood like crab, clams, squid, octopus, moule, and scallops. They can also feed on pasteurized milk.
Can you feed fennec foxes dog food?
Yes, it is possible to feed fennec foxes dog food. However, it is not recommended because of the nutritional content. Dog food has too much protein and fat for fennec foxes which are omnivores.
Can fennec foxes eat cat biscuits?
Technically, fennec foxes can eat cat biscuits, but they are not a natural part of their diet. Cat biscuits are high in carbohydrates and low in the protein and fat that fennecs need to stay healthy. As a result, it is best to stick to their natural diet of plants and bugs.
What Should Fennec Foxes Not Eat?
It is suggested by vets to avoid feeding grapes, processed food, sugar, grains, tuna, or shellfish to fennec foxes. They might develop health problems like kidney issues from eating such foods.
They need to consume natural foods to simulate the wild diet.
Can foxes eat cheese?
Yes, fennec foxes like to eat cheese. But there again, it should not be one of their main dietary item, so it should be more like a treat.
What kind of fruit does a fennec fox eat?
Fennec foxes are omnivores that eat a variety of fruits as well. Some of them are:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Pears
- Dates
- Figs
- Oranges
- Grapes
Conclusion
In conclusion, fennec foxes are omnivores that eat a variety of foods, including fruits, raw meat, and seafood. However, they should avoid processed food, sugar, and grains. Instead, their diet should consist of natural, whole foods to simulate their wild diet.
Cheese can be fed to them as a treat, but should not be one of their main dietary items. Overall, it is important to provide a healthy and balanced diet for fennec foxes in order to maintain their health.
