Head to head
Blanford's Fox vs Fennec Fox
Blanford's fox and the fennec fox are both small desert-adapted canids of the Middle East and North Africa, but each is famous for a completely different specialised trait, exceptional climbing ability versus enormous radiator-like ears.
| Blanford's Fox | Fennec Fox | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vulpes cana | Vulpes zerda |
| Signature trait | Exceptional rock-climbing ability | Enormous ears for heat loss and hearing |
| Habitat | Rocky, mountainous desert terrain | Sandy deserts and dune fields |
| Size | Small | The smallest wild canid in the world |
| Claws | Semi-retractable, aiding climbing | Not specialised for climbing |
| Social structure | Monogamous pairs | Monogamous pairs, sometimes social family groups |
| Range | Middle East and Central Asia | North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blanford's Fox vs Fennec Fox: common questions
What is each of these foxes best known for?
Blanford's fox is best known for its exceptional climbing ability on steep, rocky desert terrain, while the fennec fox is best known for its enormous ears, the largest relative to body size of any canid.
Which is the smaller fox, Blanford's fox or the fennec fox?
The fennec fox, which is the smallest wild canid in the world, smaller than Blanford's fox despite both being compact desert-adapted species.
Do Blanford's fox and the fennec fox live in the same type of desert?
Not quite; Blanford's fox favours rocky, mountainous desert terrain across the Middle East and Central Asia, while the fennec fox is adapted to sandy deserts and dune fields across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.