In a heartwarming turn of events, what was thought to be a cat rescue became something entirely different, as revealed in an eye-opening video on the Lucky Angel TikTok page.
An anonymous man is filmed picking up what appeared to be a tiny baby animal wandering alone on an American road. The headline of the TikTok video states “I picked up a cat on the street but it was actually a fox.”
Despite its kitten-like ears, nose, and fluffy coat, the caption soon clarifies that the creature is, in fact, a baby fennec fox, much to the shock of many commenters who mistook it for a domestic feline. The adorable clip chronicles the little fennec’s journey from being rescued off the streets to thriving in its new, warm home.
The kind stranger gently washes the fox’s fur upon bringing it inside, wraps it in a soft blanket for warmth and comfort, and discovers the fox’s very light weight of just 40g on a scale.
Viewers are treated to scenes of the fox enjoying a cosy sleep in its bed, being carefully hand-fed with a syringe, having a playful bath time, and engaging with a toy bone, showcasing its delightful big, black eyes, perky ears, and charming whiskers. The little creature is seen looking much cleaner and healthier as it lounges on its owner’s lap, enjoying playful tickles and strokes.
In another amusing scene, the fox approaches the owner’s cat – surprisingly larger than the diminutive fox – but instead of confronting the new arrival, the cat runs off into another room. With time, the video documents the fox’s growth both in size and maturity, playing with its toys and affectionately snuggling with its owner on the sofa.
The TikTok clip has racked up a whopping 38 million views, 2.9 million likes, and over 18,000 comments. Viewers have been left astonished, with one commenting: “Do I need glasses bc (because) that was 100% a kitten and then it was a fox. I was like wait a dang minute.”
Another was curious about its origin: “What on earth was a baby fennec fox doing on the road in America.” A third expressed their amazement: “I wouldn’t have believed this if I hadn’t looked up newborn fennec fox.”
The National Geographic recognizes the fennec fox as the smallest of all the world’s foxes. It is known for its distinctive large ears, with its natural habitat in the deserts of North Africa.