Adaptation of the Fennec Fox to the Desert

Adaptation of the Fennec Fox to the DesertHow the fennec fox (genus Vulpes zedra) has adapt to the desert environmentThe fennec fox is the smallest member of the Vulpes genus (formally in the Fennecus genus) only s secondaryness 2.2 3.3 lbs. It is highly distinguishable by its huge ears measuring 6 inches, and a body length of up to 16 inches. It is a nocturnal sensual that girdle in its dig and rests for the hottest parts of the day (The genius of Wildworks, 2014.). It is a highly social animal and lives in family groups of up to 10 individuals (Fox, 1975). Formerly in the fennecus genus, it was posterior re-classified into the Vulpes genus which is the main taxonomic group of all foxes. Its geographical range is the north Sahara and Arabian deserts. The fox is under decline due to being capture for the fur and pet trade which has had significant impacts on the wild species (The Nature of Wildworks, 2014.) The fennec fox has m both adaptions to living in a desert environmen t. These can be broken down into 3 categories Morphological, Physiological and Behavioural.MorphologicalMorphological adaptions be changes in the animals structure that helps it adapt to the extreme conditions of the Saharan sweet. wholeness of the most significant morphological adaptations that the fennec possesses is its large ears. The ears are workoutd to dissipate estrus and maintain the optimum body temperature of the animal (Wathen, et al., 1971). The ear needs to be large to have a large surface area for heat dissipation. The statement that these actually cool the animal is non entirely true, they do not cool the animal and disappoint its body temperature, but instead maintain the optimum body temperature. In a study on jack rabbits, the ears were effectuate to dissipate nearly 100% of all metabolic heat at air temperatures of only 30C (Wathen, et al., 1971). This is only possible if the temperature of the fox is in a higher place the environmental temperature. The e ars also play a critical role in nocturnal hunting (Wathen, et al., 1971). The large pinnae of the ear help direct low aim sound into the ear which gives the fennec acute hearing allowing directional hearing (Ewer, 1973). This is a key adaption for hunting at night due to the low light levels, olibanum giving the fennec the ability to hunt in effect(p)ly at night using sound as well as excellent night vision.The feet of the fennec are qualified to walking on the hot sand by having hairs covering their fleshy foot pads (Ewer, 1973). This interdicts the foot from actually touching the scolding sand and will pr sluicet injury when the fox is digging its burrow and walking across the hot dessert floor. The front paws are specially designed for digging burrows which the fennecs live and breeds in (Ewer, 1973).The fur of the fennec like most dessert animals is vital to coping with desert life. Not only does this insulate the animal, but studies have shown that the light fur of the an imal can also reflect the solar radiation, in that locationfore less(prenominal)ening the impact and reducing the heat load on the animal (Dawson Brown, 1970). This is most true in the fennec fox due to its sandy coloured or sometimes white fur. Meanwhile the thickness of the fur is a protection from the solar radiation of the skin. By creating this barrier, the fur prevents any damage to the skin from direct solar radiation. This is because the fur, as said before, partially reflects the solar radiation while the thicker deeper fur absorbs the heat (Dawson Brown, 1970). The heat absorption also helps the fox survive the freezing dessert nights while it feeds, by preventing the fennecs core body temperature from dropping too low.PhysiologicalPhysiological adaptions are changes in the animals system processes to enable them to adapt to changes in the environment. These changes enable the fennec to adapt to the extreme environment of the North African deserts. Carnivores, just as the fennec, are found in a number of deserts around the world. A major challenge that these organisms face is the replenishment of water. The fennec gains its water requirements solely from having by and large a carnivorous diet. The fennec, by eating alone, can maintain its water balance for over 100 days without having to drink (Vaughn, et al., 2000). This is done by the fennec having real concentrated urine that uses the least essence of water possible to function. This conserves a vast amount of water and coupled with its very low go away loss. Therefore it rivals small desert rodents in its water conservation (Vaughn, et al., 2000). This relates to selective predation and an ability to feed on a wide build of nutriment stuffs, while being able to become more economical with its metabolic water.The adaption of having a low basal metabolic rate is crucial to survival in dessert conditions. The fennec is no exception to this it has one of the lowest BMRs of all Vulpes species of 60.7 percent (Golightly Ohmart, 1983). This means at rest the fox only uses the minimal amount of water needed to survive. This adaption allows a minimalized endogenous heat load which conserves metabolic water. This saving of water becomes critical in the desert due to the low precipitation levels and therefore having the adaptation of a low BMR helps maintain any dietary water acquired and conserves it.BehaviouralBehavioural adaptations are changes in the animals conduct help it survive in a certain environment. Previously, little was known about the fennec foxes diet. It was previously thought that they were primarily insectivores and had barely any variety in their diet. However, a new study has shown that they are actually opportunistic feeders with food items being mostly insects, but it also feeds on small mammals and even plant material (Brahmi, et al., 2012). The study also shows that locality and abundance of food can also change the feeding behaviour of the fennec. T his adaption is critical to the survival of any dessert animals. The ability to feed on many different food sources opens up many more niches and availability for the animal to survive and feed (Brahmi, et al., 2012). gasp is an adaption that requires short shallow respiration and is solely used in heat dissipation. Panting makes use of evaporative cooling of the mouth, lung and nasal mucosa. This is a very effective way of cooling down without having to sweat. This main advantage over sweating is that in sweating there is salt loss, while in panting there is not (Vaughn, et al., 2000). This is key to the survival of the fennec because of the shortage of food therefore the fennec cannot regain the salt quicker than the animal uses up. If the fennec sweated this could become a huge problem, so it has vanquish this problem by making use of the more efficient panting for heat dissipation (Vaughn, et al., 2000).Fennec fox families live and thrive in burrows these help neutralize the d aily effects of high temperature and low humidity of the desert days. They yield shelter from sun exposure and the highest temperatures of the dessert day. A study in tortoises shows that burrows provide a great place to refuge in a desert environment. The study showed that the burrow at 1000 -1200 hrs had much higher humidity and lower temperature than the external environment (Bulova, 2002). This lowers the total evaporate water loss which helps the animal, in this case the fennec, conserve metabolic water, which is key to desert survival. Fennecs therefore make use of the much more stable and milder environment inside the burrow. This helps shelter the fennec from extreme conditions and helps conserve water. This is due to the soil temperature maintaining stability no matter what the conditions are outside. The burrow controls the internal environment due to the thermal insulating properties of the soil (Reichman Smith, 1990). Therefore the burrow is cooler during the day and w armer during the freezing desert nights.ConclusionTo conclude there are many adaptations the fennec has may that be morphological, physiological and behavioural. The adaptations are a necessity to survive in such an extreme climate, such as the dessert with high heat loads during the day, freezing temperatures in the night, food and water sources are scarce. The adaptions that the fennec utilises all boil down to protection from the incredible temperature change in the dessert, by having large ears to dissipate heat and fur that can reflect but also absorb the heat. This gives protection from solar radiation during the day, and insulation during the night. The other(a) main reason for having many complex adaptations is to conserve water. The fennecs metabolic water level is maintained by having a low BMR which uses less water in metabolic activity at rest, and also the concentrated urine which reduces the loss of water via waste. In my mind the fennec fox is perfectly adapted to co pe with the extremes of desert life, by controlling its water conservation and body temperature.Word count 1,508ReferencesBrahmi, K. et al., 2012. First quantitative data on the diet of the fennec fox, Vulpes zerda (Canidae, Carnivora), in Algeria. Folia Zoologica, 61(1), pp. 61-70.Bulova, j., 2002. 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