The fennec fox, like many of its cousins are omnivores[1]. Given their smaller size and the barren landscape they reside in, fennecs primarily eat small lizards and insects[1]. The other small percentage of their diet consists of roots and other plant matter than they scavenge or dig up[1]. Consisted of a protein-centered diet, these small foxes will eat anything from beetles to bird’s eggs[1]. They can intake sufficient amounts of leafy nutrition from consuming the insects that thrive on them[2]. In general, the fennec will stay away from roots and greens unless there is a shortage in protein[2]. The annual diet of a fennec does not differ drastically throughout the year since the Sahara desert remains arid all year long[2].
The nutritional requirements for wild fennec foxes are not widely known since they are rarely studied outside of captivity[3]. However, multiple studies have been done on fennec in captivity[3]. One major nutrient that fennecs often lack in captivity and the wild is taurine[4]. This amino acid is often associated to be essential only in cats, however foxes are one of the exceptions[4]. Since no extensive study has been done on the nutritional value of fennec foxes in particular, we can assume they are similar to the red fox’s[3]. Since fennecs are considerably smaller than red foxes, their daily intake Metabolizable energy of approximately 520 Kcal is probably considerably less because of that[3]. The protein, carbohydrate, fat daily intake Metabolizable energy ratio should still remain true[3].
References:
1. Dampsey, J., Hanna, S., Asa, C., Bauman, K., 2009. Nutrition and Behavior of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda). Vet. Clin. Exot. Anim. 12, 299-312.
2. Brahmi, K., Khechekhouche, E., Mostefaoui, O., Doumandji, S., Baziz, B., Aulangnier, S., 2012. First quantitative data on the diet of the fennec fox, Vulpes zerda (Canidae, Carnivora), in Algeria. Folia. Zool. 61, 61-70.
3. Carlstead, Kathy., 1991. Husbandary of the fennec fox environmental conditions influencing stereotypical behaviour. Int. Zoo. Yb. 30, 202-207.
4. Moise, N., Pacioretty, L., Kalifelz, F., Stipanuk, M., King, J., Gilmour, R., 1991. Dietary taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in the fox. Am. Heart.J. 121, 541-547.
The nutritional requirements for wild fennec foxes are not widely known since they are rarely studied outside of captivity[3]. However, multiple studies have been done on fennec in captivity[3]. One major nutrient that fennecs often lack in captivity and the wild is taurine[4]. This amino acid is often associated to be essential only in cats, however foxes are one of the exceptions[4]. Since no extensive study has been done on the nutritional value of fennec foxes in particular, we can assume they are similar to the red fox’s[3]. Since fennecs are considerably smaller than red foxes, their daily intake Metabolizable energy of approximately 520 Kcal is probably considerably less because of that[3]. The protein, carbohydrate, fat daily intake Metabolizable energy ratio should still remain true[3].
References:
1. Dampsey, J., Hanna, S., Asa, C., Bauman, K., 2009. Nutrition and Behavior of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda). Vet. Clin. Exot. Anim. 12, 299-312.
2. Brahmi, K., Khechekhouche, E., Mostefaoui, O., Doumandji, S., Baziz, B., Aulangnier, S., 2012. First quantitative data on the diet of the fennec fox, Vulpes zerda (Canidae, Carnivora), in Algeria. Folia. Zool. 61, 61-70.
3. Carlstead, Kathy., 1991. Husbandary of the fennec fox environmental conditions influencing stereotypical behaviour. Int. Zoo. Yb. 30, 202-207.
4. Moise, N., Pacioretty, L., Kalifelz, F., Stipanuk, M., King, J., Gilmour, R., 1991. Dietary taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in the fox. Am. Heart.J. 121, 541-547.