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Habitat and Behaviour The Pale Fox occupies dry, sandy and stony
areas in the semi-desert country of the Sahel and southern fringes
of the Sahara. Almost nothing is known about it. The structure of
its teeth indicates that it eats mostly plant foods such as fruits
and berries, but it also catches small rodents, birds, reptiles and
invertebrates. Pale Foxes normally associate in pairs and family
parties, and are active at night, resting in burrow systems during the
day. The extensive burrows may be as much as 15 m in length, and the
inner chambers may be lined with dry plant material. Three to six pups
are dropped after a 52-day gestation.
Distribution and Status In the region the Pale Fox occurs near the
southern areas of Morocco (Western Sahara), Algeria and Libya, and
it may well be found in these three countries given the availability of
suitable habitat. It occurs in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan.
Conservation Areas None known.
FENNEC FOX Vulpes zerda
Identification This species is arguably the world’s smallest fox,
although Blanford’s Fox falls within a similar weight range. The Fennec
Fox is easily recognized by its extremely large ears (15 cm) and overall
cream-coloured fur. The coats of many animals have a light fawn,
reddish or greyish tinge, but the underparts are always paler. The foxes
tend to be darker in the north of their range and much paler in the
south. Dark streaks run from the inner eye down to either side of the
muzzle. The tail is bushy and slightly darker at the tip. The footpads
are covered with dense fur.
Size Shoulder height 19–21 cm.