THE FENNEC FOX 33 



The fennec fox (Canis zerda) is the smallest of 

 all the Canidae or dog family, measuring only 

 twenty-three inches from the tip of the muzzle to 

 the root of the tail : on account of its delicate 

 outlines it is also one of the most beautiful. The 

 muzzle of this exquisite little creature is narrow 

 and tapering. The head is broad and rounded. 

 The ears are upright, and relatively enormous, 

 often exceeding three inches in length : they are 

 shaped like paper cones and lined internally with 

 silky hairs. 1 The legs are short : the fur is thick 

 and the tail ample and bushy. The colour of the 

 fennec is fawn or buff above, fading to creamy 

 below : some specimens have the greater part of 

 the coat pervaded by the creamy tint. A small 

 blackish area occurs below and in front of the eye, 

 and the tail is tipped with black, while some 

 individuals have in addition some dark pencillings 

 along the spine. 



The fennec has long been known to Arab 

 writers who have published descriptions of it 

 under the name of El Fennec : it was, however, 

 first introduced to the notice of Europeans by 

 Bruce, who was Consul-General at Algiers during 

 1762-65. The specimen which he described was 

 supposed to have originally come from Biskra, 



i The sense of hearing is probably very acute in the fennec as may 

 be deduced not only from the large size of the external ear, but also 

 from the great development of the tympanic bulla seen in the dried 

 skull. 





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