fennec

fen·nec

noun \ˈfe-nik\

Definition of FENNEC

: a small pale-fawn fox (Vulpes zerda syn. Fennecus zerda) with large ears that inhabits the deserts of northern Africa and Arabia

Origin of FENNEC

Arabic fanak

First Known Use: 1790

Rhymes with FENNEC

phrenic, splenic

fennec

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Fennec (Fennecus zerda).—Anthony Mercieca—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

Desert-dwelling fox (Fennecus zerda) found in northern Africa and the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas. It is small (head-and-body length 14–16 in. [36–41 cm]), weighs about 3.5 lb (1.5 kg), and has large ears (6 in. [15 cm] or more in length). It has long, thick, whitish to sand-coloured fur and a black-tipped tail 7–12 in. (18–31 cm) long. Mainly nocturnal, it spends most of the day underground in its burrow. It feeds on insects, small animals, and fruit.