THE FENNEC FOX 37 



considerable number which in recent years have 

 been imported into Europe for exhibition in zoo- 

 logical gardens. Although very nervous and 

 suspicious, when tame the fennec makes a charming 

 pet. It has none of the disagreeable odour of 

 other foxes, and indeed of many dogs : and its 

 only cry is a weak bark. Care should be taken to 

 protect the fennec from cold and damp : the food 

 provided may consist of ripe fruit and sweetened 

 bread and milk, varied with eggs or even meat, 

 though the feebleness of the jaws will naturally 

 limit the range of diet which may be allowed 

 to this fox. Taken altogether, the fennec in 

 captivity does not appear to exact more care 

 than is ordinarily bestowed on delicate breeds 

 of dogs or on prize Persian cats : and were it 

 better known it would probably soon become 

 popular. Whether such will be the case in the 

 future is doubtful. Nevertheless, the jerboa rats 

 from the same districts of the Sahara are steadily 

 growing in public favour as quaint and interesting 

 pets : and whether we regard the fennec merely 

 as a curiously diminutive specimen of the vulpine 

 race, or whether we take up in earnest the study 

 of its ways in captivity, there will always be a 

 delightful interest and charm attaching to the four- 

 footed hero who figures in the fable of "the fox 

 and the grapes." 



