Exmoor Zoo welcomes pair of world's smallest foxes

Sky News

4 May 2024 at 0:17 pm·1-min read

A pair of the world's smallest foxes have recently arrived at a zoo in Devon.

The fennec foxes have their own purpose-built enclosure at Exmoor Zoo - a new arrival two years in the planning.

The breed is native to areas of North Africa, including Morocco, the Sahara Desert and Mauritania.

As nocturnal animals, fennec foxes live in underground burrows in the desert, which allows them to keep cool.

Their characteristic large ears also help to dispel heat.

Otherwise known as the desert fox, their prey includes small rodents, snakes, lizards and insects such as grasshoppers and locusts.

But they also eat eggs, roots, leaves and fruit.

Danny Reynolds, co-partner of Exmoor Zoo, said: "We're all pretty excited about the fennec foxes' arrival and are falling madly in love."

The keepers have started calling the furry new arrivals Lieutenant Wolfe and Pretty Lady.

But people are asked to get in touch with the zoo to share their own ideas for names.

My London
Met Office alert for best UK spot to stand chance of seeing Northern Lights on Friday, May 17
Conditions need to be ideal for the aurora to be viewed in parts of England, which is why it is such a rare occurrence
The Telegraph
Nuclear waste to be buried 650ft under the English countryside
Swathes of nuclear waste are set to be buried in the English countryside after ministers agreed to dig a 650ft pit starting this decade.
Eastern Daily Press
Massive £10m farm sale could be Norfolk's biggest of the year, say agents
Three Norfolk farms with a total value of almost £10.7m are hitting the market in what Savills agents believe could be the county's biggest farm sale this year.
Liverpool Echo
Met Office issues urgent 10-hour warning as more rain forecast
The wet weather will be an issue into the night
Dorset Echo
Warning in place for thunderstorms and 'intense' downpours
Thunderstorms and ‘intense downpours’ could lead to disruption across the county, according to the Met Office
Swindon Advertiser
Grass snake caught on camera going for a swim near Swindon
There has been another grass snake sighting close Swindon.
The Guardian
Swallow, swift and house martin populations have nearly halved, finds UK bird survey
Reduction in insect numbers contributes to drop, and there are declines across more than a third of bird species surveyed
Birmingham Live
UK weather maps show when first 30C day of year will roast Britain
The UK is set to sizzle with rising temperatures as we head towards May and towards the sixth month of the year, June, and the first full month of summer proper.
Storyful
Black Bear Falls From Tree After Being Tranquilized
A bear fell from a tree onto a tarp after it was tranquilized in Lakewood, Washington, on Wednesday, May 15, footage posted to Facebook shows.The Lakewood Police Department said that the black bear had been spotted “cruising the neighborhoods” in the area. They said that a local elementary school was put on lockdown while the bear roamed the area.This footage by Amy Mayster shows the bear falling from the tree onto a tarp being held open by officers with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bear is then seen being carried away in the tarp and placed in a cage to be transported away.The City of Lakewood Municipal Government confirmed that the bear was captured by officers with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.The bear was assumed to have started wandering around Lakewood while it was looking for food after having been “kicked out” by its mother, the Lakewood Municipal Government said, citing wildlife officials. Credit: Amy Mayster via Storyful
The Guardian
Little penguins at risk of vanishing from WA island as once-thriving colony reduced to 120 birds
Exclusive: Study shows Penguin Island population in freefall, sources say, amid pressure from tourism, boat traffic and warming seas
AFP
Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future
At a sprawling vehicle test centre in the English countryside, a hydrogen-powered Grenadier 4x4 made by Ineos Automotive grips steep and rugged tracks, showcasing its off-road capabilities. Calder spoke from the UTAC vehicle test centre in Millbrook, a village north of London, where the hydrogen-powered vehicle quietly navigated dusty sharp bends and other obstacles.
FTW Outdoors
Buffalo literally in spotlight while saving ‘friend’ from lion attack
Dramatic footage shows the precise moment that an African buffalo rushed in to save another buffalo from a lion attack.
EADT
Group takes action on Suffolk's River Deben to combat pollution and wildlife loss
A group has come together to rescue the River Deben in Suffolk from pollution and loss of wildlife and habitat
HuffPost UK
I Just Learned What One Of The Loudest Animals In The World Is And It’s Literally 3 Inches Long
The world is WEIRD.
My London
Experts issue Northern Lights red alert with aurora visible across London and UK tonight
If you missed them last week the amazing show is back again in time for this weekend
Liverpool Echo
Seagulls 'eyed' dog walker after she found creature on the beach
The washed up animal caught the attention of Sue Titchmarsh's dogs
Wales Online
Holiday lodges branded 'ugly' as community residents say views are 'ruined'
Several residents have sent letters to Conwy County Council objecting to the development
Bristol Live
Having a barbecue could see you fined £5,000 with new rules in place
Fines for breaking the rules start at £50 and could go as high as £5,000
The Telegraph
US oil giant quits North Sea as Hunt refuses to scrap tax
The US oil giant Chevron has announced it will quit the North Sea after 55 years, the day after Jeremy Hunt turned down industry pleas for support at a private meeting.
Birmingham Live
Northern Lights 'red alert' issued for UK with 'best place' to catch glimpse
The amber alert for parts of the UK was issued in the wake of a solar phenomenon which has seen flares emitted, giving Brits the chance to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary space event.

Latest stories