The Hattiesburg Zoo is pleased to welcome two new Fennec foxes. They will join Banjo, a four-year-old Fennec Fox that has been a resident of the Hattiesburg Zoo since 2019. Banjo was made available to the Zoo through a donation of the Clinton Family, who rescued him from a detrimental situation.
Before coming to the Hattiesburg Zoo, the two new foxes were residents of a sanctuary in Oklahoma. Both foxes, one male and one female, are approximately 3 years of age.
“We are so happy to welcome these two beautiful creatures to our Zoo,” said Jeremy Cumpton, Director of Conservation, Education and Wildlife. “The female is missing her left eye, but is otherwise in good shape.
“Her missing eye is a teaching opportunity for us as we educate people about the fact that not all animals are meant to be pets.”
While it is the smallest fox in the world, the Fennec fox possesses tons of cuteness and charm. Their most notable characteristic are their large ears, which reach 4 to 6 inches in length. Those ears not only help them listen for prey underground, but also serve to dissipate excess heat of the desert.
They have a thick, sandy-colored coat that keeps them warm at night and reflects the sunlight during the day. They even have fur on their feet that protect their footpads from the scorching ground.
Humans are an ominous predator of the fennec fox, as the animals are trapped in some areas and sold into the pet trade or even hunted for their lush fur.
Large predators such as birds of prey or hyenas could catch them if the foxes journey outside their burrow, so staying inside their den during the day is sensible for these little creatures. Their nocturnal nature keeps them safe from animal predators.
As a nighttime hunter, they enjoy insects, rodents, snails, lizards, plants, fruits, roots and eggs.
Although considered to be solitary creatures, Fennec foxes live in small communities of around 10 individuals, with dens being close in proximity or in some cases connected to one another.
