Fennec foxes are very active creatures despite their smaller size[1]. However, there are currently no published journals on specifics of nutrient requirements for fennec foxes in the wild[2]. The closest animal models we can study would be those of the cat and dog based on the recommendation of the national research council[2]. We can also reference material from studies done on dietary needs for fennecs trained as household pets[2]. Based on the domestic nutritional requirements for pet fennecs, they need to be feeding within 24 hours of birth[1]. For the first week of lactation, fennecs should be fed 10-25% of their body weight, increasing to 20-25% by four weeks’ time[3]. Weaning occurs at the one month period, this is when the pups will stop drinking its mother’s milk and move onto solid foods[3]. Although it may be tough for them to process and digest whole foods until 6 months of age[3]. From this point on, the fennecs nutritional requirement will be similar to that of any other fox[3]. An adult will typically consume 520g of food per day to meet energy demands[4]. However, since fennecs spend most of their days sleeping and are only active at night, their energy demands may deviate from the average[3]. Their metabolic energy and dietary energy expenditure are unknown[2]. Nothing is known about their basal metabolic rate (BMR) because not enough research has been done in this field for fennecs[2]. Previously mentioned in a blog post, the BMR of an arctic fox ranges from 35Kcal/Kg/24h to 110Kcal/Kg/24[5]. These figures were analyzed throughout the year, across the span of four seasons[5]. Due to the habitat that fennec foxes live in, clime does not change much throughout the year[5]. We can estimate that BMR might be fairly high for these small creatures because they are active all year long[2]. Like other mammals, their dietary energy requirement will increase when they are pregnant[1].
References:
1. 1. 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.
2. Dampsey, J., Hanna, S., Asa, C., Bauman, K., 2009. Nutrition and Behavior of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda). Vet. Clin. Exot. Anim. 12, 299-312.
3. Carlstead, Kathy., 1991. Husbandary of the fennec fox environmental conditions influencing stereotypical behaviour. Int. Zoo. Yb. 30, 202-207.
4. Von Schantz, Torbjorn, 1980. Prey consumption of red fox population in Southern Sweden. Biogeographica. 53-64.
5. A, Gugołek., W, Zabłocki., D, Kowalska., P, Janiszewski., M, Konstantynowicz., ,. Strychalski., 2010. Nutrient digestibility in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) fed diets containing animal meals. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec.62, 948-953.
References:
1. 1. 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.
2. Dampsey, J., Hanna, S., Asa, C., Bauman, K., 2009. Nutrition and Behavior of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda). Vet. Clin. Exot. Anim. 12, 299-312.
3. Carlstead, Kathy., 1991. Husbandary of the fennec fox environmental conditions influencing stereotypical behaviour. Int. Zoo. Yb. 30, 202-207.
4. Von Schantz, Torbjorn, 1980. Prey consumption of red fox population in Southern Sweden. Biogeographica. 53-64.
5. A, Gugołek., W, Zabłocki., D, Kowalska., P, Janiszewski., M, Konstantynowicz., ,. Strychalski., 2010. Nutrient digestibility in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) fed diets containing animal meals. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec.62, 948-953.