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The fennec fox, smallest of all canids, is well adapted to desert life: Its body is small; its hair is light-colored to reduce heat absorption; and its large ears are highly vascularized to facilitate cooling.

Also, its feet have hairy soles for traction and heat protection in sand, and it can sustain long periods without drinking.

These foxes dig multichambered dens in the sand and rest there during the day, shielded from the sun.

At night they venture forth to hunt insects and small vertebrates. Once they locate their prey, they dig in the sand at high speed to catch it.

Fennec foxes live in groups of ten to fifteen individuals and mated pairs are believed to bond for life.

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