A PAIR of Fennec foxes have recently arrived at Exmoor Zoo and are settling in to their purpose-built enclosure near the cafe.

The move was originally planned some two years ago, and in the meantime both the zoo’s armadillo and dwarf mongoose have been trying out their designed new home.

Their ears tell you that this is a night time hunter and possibly they have become nocturnal to avoid bigger predators like desert birds of prey and jackals.

Having made a home in the dessert they have a few unusual adaptions, which enable them to live in northern parts of Africa like Morocco, the Sahara Desert and Mauritania. Their large ears help dispel heat and find underground prey and, much like the sand cats which also live at the zoo, their extra fur around the pads of their feet help to avoid the heat from the sand.

They live in underground burrows in the dessert, which helps them keep cool during the day. Some burrows have been recorded with 15 entrances/exits.

A zoo spokesman said: “Can you imagine that many doors to your house? Here at Exmoor Zoo, they have a purpose-built nest box in their heated indoor house.

“Also known as the desert fox they are oddly an omnivore. Their prey includes a wide range of animals, like small rodents, snakes, lizards and insects such as grasshoppers and locusts, as well as eggs, roots, leaves and fruit. We’re all pretty excited about the fennec fox’s arrival and are falling madly in love.

“The keepers have started to consider names for them but it would be great if you could suggest some names that are more applicable. They will keep their names in an international stud book run by European Association of Zoo’s and we will let you know what names we choose from your ideas.”