Longleat fennec fox kits grow to 10 times birth weight
Keepers have given us an update on the little ones born in April
A pair of fennec fox kits born at Longleat safari park in April have now grown to 10 times their birth weight.
The little ones, who haven't been named yet, were just 46g each when they arrived, and have been hand reared since they were 24 hours old.
Keepers have been taking it on turns to look after the kits and handle overnight feeds.
Samantha Peeke from Longleat said:
“They are using their trademark ears as they grow and begin to explore and listen to their new surroundings.
“They are needing less frequent care and quickly finding their feet as they are introduced new sights and sounds.
“As they dig, run, jump and climb over each other, they are certainly not fazed by the unique sounds that Longleat brings, especially with their parrot neighbours squawking.”
The kits are eating mostly solid foods like chicken and egg, as well as some vegetables, including green beans which are one of their favourites, with only two milk feeds a day.
Catriona Moy, Team Leader of Animal Adventure and Lakes, said:
“They will receive their inoculations at eight and 12 weeks. We will continue to monitor them and when the time is right, we will begin the long reintroduction process, so the kits can join their mum, Zuri, and dad, Enzi, to live as a family unit.
“The process will take some time, as we will begin to introduce each group to the other’s scents, before letting them meet through a divider.
“We are really excited that they are doing so well as their birth is so important, not only for Longleat but also to the European breeding programme with two females to help the species in the future."
Reaching a maximum length of under 40cms and weighing less than two kilogrammes, the fennec fox is by far the smallest member of the fox family and significantly more petite than a family cat.
Their huge ears are up to 25% of their entire body length!
Found mostly in Northern Africa and the Middle East, they live in semi-arid desert environments with sparse vegetation, utilising the sand for burrowing and creating their dens.