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Location:

Predator passage across from hyenas

Fennec Fox

  • Hunter (M) - arrived March 2024, ~9 years old

Sadly, Noelle passed away on 1/2/2025. Click 'read more' and/or scroll down for more information and pictures of Noelle.

                       

Identifying Features:

*Note: Fennec foxes may experience alopecia (hair loss) in the summer months. This may be more visible in Hunter because it's his first summer in Phoenix, so he's still acclimating to our climate. Vets and keeper staff are monitoring them closely.

History:

  • Hunter arrived Spring 2024 to join Noelle. He came from the Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, Indiana


  • McFly (M) 5/25/2013 - passed away earlier this year (2023)

  • Noelle (F) 3/8/2012 - passed away January 2025. Scroll down for more informatin and pictures of Noelle.


More Information:

  • Smallest member of canine family

  • North Africa

  • Diet: Rodents, eggs, reptiles, arthropods, plants

  • Fur on pads of feet to prevent being burned

  • Ears for cooling and hearing

  • Typically nocturnal

  • 3-4 lbs

  • Lifespan up to 20 years

Noelle (F) 3/8/2012-1/2/2025













Email from Kara Schilling, Curator of Mammals

"FOR INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

It is with a heavy heart we share our beautiful female fennec fox, Noelle, passed away last night while receiving intensive treatment at our Animal Care Center for end-stage kidney failure, which was diagnosed earlier this week after a few days of concerning behaviors.

 

Noelle was 12 years old and arrived at our Zoo as a 6-month-old fennec fox in 2012 following the loss of two long-time foxes here at the Zoo. She was housed with several other fennec foxes during her long stay and was always sweet and friendly – no matter the roommate.  She has most recently been in the habitat with Hunter, our current nine-year-old male and our male leopard tortoise, Loki.

 

Our staff are deeply saddened by this loss and all of her keepers have enjoyed working with Noelle over the many years.  All staff quote that she was “such a sweet fox” and she will be sorely missed.

 

We will be following up with the SSP in the near future, but for now – you can still see Hunter and Loki in the habitat."

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