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Fennec Fox as a Pet

Matt Van Hoven

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October 19, 2007

You may not be familiar with the Fennec Fox, but this furry little gremlin is fast becoming a popular pet.

Believed to be an ancestor of the Chihuahua, Fennecs are the world's smallest canine. They belong to the fox family, a fact some say means they shouldn't be allowed as pets.

26 states allow the foxes, many of which require an exotic pet license. Agility and cunning are the animals' best defense – and an endless supply of energy means that if they escape, there's little chance of being caught again.

The “Desert Fox” is native to Northern Africa, where it's regularly hunted for it's pelt. As a result, Fennecs have been listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) list of threatened animals since 1985.

But increased breeding in the United States could change that. Owners claim to have taught them to fetch and even use a litter box.

They weigh up to three pounds, and with fur that covers even the bottoms of their feet, Fennecs are pretty cute.

This isn't the type of pet you'd want to carry around the mall. Fennecs require elaborate enclosures – they like to jump, scurry and burrow. So pet lover beware – do your homework before buying one.

Do you think this endangered species should be allowed as a pet? Tell us what you think by posting comments under this story.

You can submit your pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Email us with story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.



Tags

fox, exotic, fennec, chihuahua, endangered species, other pets

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Teresa C.
Teresa C. (IResQK9sNKy)
2 years ago
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Don't know that any endangered species should become the next new designer pet. My guess is they'll be very popular for a little while then they'll become troublesome and will "go out of style". Sad.
 
Alec
Alec
2 years ago
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Since they are engangered I don't really think they should be taken out of the wild and treated as pets
 
milyGordon
milyGordon
2 years ago
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Although they may be endangered, keeping them as a pet should not be allowed. They need to be in a wild life conservation with others of their kind; as well as PROPER care for them.
 
Danielle r.
Danielle r. (tig3reyez6)
2 years ago
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It is hard to say. On the one hand, if they are pets it means they will be bred more and the population will increase. People should be careful though and should not buy one unless they are willing to take all responsibility.
 
juniorboone925
juniorboone925
2 years ago
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For goodness sakes, can't we leave these animals alone? We already have tons of different species that are domesticated and we already have enough trouble properly caring for them. I say let them be and leave them alone.
 
teerjlt
teerjlt
2 years ago
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Hmm I see many problems here
 
brandie123
brandie123
2 years ago
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I don't know if they should be allowed as pets, but then again I don't really think any wild animal should be allowed as a pet bc it doesn't seem right to take it out of its habitat. I think more effort should be made to get them out off the endangered list and let them stay in their home. I know I wouldn't like one as a pet, bc I don't like really small animals, I am too afraid I'll step on it and hurt it!
 
Nicole
Nicole (Nicole42682)
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
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I don't believe that an endangered species should be a pet. Leave them alone... get a chihuahua! This is just another cute little "pet" that rich people can tote around in their over-sized, diamond-studded shoulder bags.
 
CathyD
CathyD
2 years ago
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This is horrifying. Fennecs are WILD animals. They are very specific to certain parts of the world, like deserts. For God's sake, just leave them alone! Not everything has to be domesticated!
 
Christina M.
Christina M. (muggsylover7)
2 years ago
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I totally agree. What is with people, why do we have to make everything under our control. I think we should just let nature be nature from now on, otherwise, we are just asking for a reason for these animals to get themselves into trouble and end up having to be put to sleep. Sometimes I wonder
 
beebe99
beebe99
2 years ago
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I don't think they shuld be pets but their cute!
 
ComicKitty
ComicKitty
2 years ago
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Theys sure look cute
 
Champion
Champion
2 years ago
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What a beautiful animal!
 
Hageelectric
Hageelectric
2 years ago
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Very cool!
 
nicoleyoley21
nicoleyoley21
2 years ago
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If they can really be trained like dogs can I don't see why people can't have them as their pets!
 
Gina
Gina (mackie13624)
2 years ago
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I don't know on this one. Trying to domesticate an endangered species doesn't sound like a good idea to me. They sound like they need above average care and you know that that usually means......surrendered to the local S.P.C.A.
 
wolfsnaps
wolfsnaps
2 years ago
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Fennecs are sooo cute. But why own them? I hear they are kind of nervous and aggressive...which makes sense in that they would need to be like that to survive in the wild. I have to say I would NOT own one because there are other animals out there that NEED my help, as opposed to these animals that are bred to be pets that shouldnt be. but they ARE cute
 
jinxkitty
jinxkitty
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 4 users liked it.
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I'm really uncomfortable with "fad" pets. So many people buy them without really knowing how to properly take care of them.
 
Kurt G.
Kurt G. (Bassetttoo)
2 years ago
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Wild animals need to remain wild.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
This comment has been removed.
 
rwobith
rwobith
2 years ago
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i dont think so not as pets.
 
sfmoboe
sfmoboe
2 years ago
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endangered species should not be pets. They need to be protected in their natural habitat, not in someone's home.
 
Michelle H.
Michelle H. (sinbad90)
2 years ago
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With all the homeless animals dying everyday in shelters I don't know why people insist on new breeds, exotic breeds, wild animals.
 
Grace @ T.C.
Grace @ T.C. (sarahlilly1964)
2 years ago
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Yes i think they should be allowed as pets if they are endangered it would help them to repopulate
 
kedoran
kedoran
2 years ago
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While I would love to own a Fennec, I'm sure that I would not be prepared for the responsibility. However, that doesn't mean there aren't people who are perfectly qualified. Seeing as most of the states require exotic pet licenses to own Fennecs, it isn't too likely that there will be a problem with people getting in over their heads by choosing to own one.
 
disotellx2
disotellx2
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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They shouldn't be allowed as pets.
 
bcoo
bcoo
2 years ago
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They are not a domesticated animal and shouldn't be allowed as pets. This is not their natural environment and escaped fennecs would upset the food supply for our native animals.
 
bthibodeaux
bthibodeaux
2 years ago
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I don't agree that endangered species should be pets. Animals like this end up in shelters or dead because the owners don't know how to take care of them. And the breeders will sell them to anyone. I would think that if they were going to an owner who knows how to care for this type of pet then it's okay.
 
scorpio19th
scorpio19th
2 years ago
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This is a precious animal, cute as a button, but they're wild animals and should be maintained in their native surroundings, not added to our pet population.
 
JackieKitty
JackieKitty
2 years ago
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Wow. I would LOVE to have one as a pet. I'm a big chihuahua fan, and I never knew they were ancestors of them. You learn something new everyday.
 
amykady
amykady
2 years ago
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I agree with many of you, these are wild animals and we should be doing all we can to encourage their population growth in their natural habitat. Looking at our history of domesticating animals, we don't have the best track record in long term care.
 
silver d.
silver d. (silverdragoneast)
2 years ago
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HELLO...they are ENDANGERED, what fence are you talking about??
 
Kristen C.
Kristen C. (kristenskritters)
2 years ago
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Not too sure how I feel on this one, the fact that if they escape you can't catch them worries me...Also how tame are they? I'm very on the fence with this one...
 
margaret m.
margaret m. (lionpearl)
2 years ago
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I agree that they are wild and should be kept that way. They were put there for a reason and the reason isn't so we can take them and make a pet out of them.
 
nickel8
nickel8
2 years ago
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There are already millions of dogs & cats needing homes. Why would you introduce a new animal as a domesticated pet? Let's look at the big picture!
 
SeaRiggs
SeaRiggs
2 years ago
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Considering the animal is endangered, human intervention is needed, but only to help preserve this animal in its natural enviornment. This little guy sounds like a handful...chances are if people buy this fox they will be getting more than what they bargained for, and they will be giving them up to shelters. Sure would hate to see a fox next to my German Shepherd...we would learn really quick how fast this fox can run.
 
Laurie
Laurie (19tyler61)
2 years ago
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I do not feel that anyone should own any kind of wild animal unless you run an animal sanctuary. These animals are wild for a reason
 
stpena
stpena
2 years ago
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I don't feel that any animal that is on an endangered species list should be owned by the general public. Leave that up to the professionals.
 
Ashley H.
Ashley H. (AshleyMarieHarris)
2 years ago
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Not a good idea!
These are wild animals, and they are extinct. I see more problems resulting from people keeping them because theyre "cute."
Leave them be!
 
acart1170
acart1170
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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Just what every endangered species needs; to become the latest pet craze. They undoubtedly became endangered because of man and this certainly won't help
 
Michelle G.
Michelle G. (smalltowngal)
2 years ago
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There are enough unwanted dogs and cats in this world why on earth would we introduce another animal into our homes? An endangered one at that. Let the wild animals stay in the wild to live the lives they were suppose to.
 
Gwen H.
Gwen H. (butterfly061726)
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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I dont think they should be sold as pets. It doesnt sound like they would make very good ones. Then you start having people buy them, not knowing what they are getting theirselves into and soon we'd start seeing more and more into our shelters because people wouldnt want them anymore.
 
Lestatspuppy
Lestatspuppy
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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I personally would love to have many many foxes as my pets. I love them and they are beautiful. I believe you should be able to respect them enough to have to get a license though. Its not a game, never is taking care of a pet a game, however with something exotic and beautiful some people will turn it into such a game. If you want it bad enough, make it happen, and prove it.
 
Tyler B.
Tyler B. (tyler032393)
2 years ago
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I think there cool
 
mk
mk
2 years ago
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wild is wild for a reason leave them alone.
 
Rusty M.
Rusty M. (slacker20se7en)
2 years ago
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I would try one as a pet, hey you never know.
 
rbrunell
rbrunell
2 years ago
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My son would love a pet like this and no doubt, he would take great care of it. I have a questio though. Don't foxes have a natural skunky scent to them. Who wants that in thier home?
 
Melissa
Melissa (mevrooman)
2 years ago
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Just the comment about needing elaborate cages and they are likely not going to be caught if they get loose....... I don't think they should be available to the general public.
 
steveklaws
steveklaws
2 years ago
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let em b wild!
 
lawdog515
lawdog515
2 years ago
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They're cute as can be, but given the fact that they are an endangered species I would find it worrisome that folks consider keeping them as pets. They need to be out in the wild where they can breed and multiply.
 
Lynette
Lynette (Nettie2468)
2 years ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
These beautiful creatures should NOT be kept as pets! People need to remember that a wild animal will always be a wild animal!
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