The fennec fox lives in the driest habitat possible. The
Sahara desert is a harsh and unyielding place where only the most adapted
animal can survive. The fennec fox is one of the animals. It has large ears
that can get to 6 inches long. They are a very useful when the desert reaches
its hottest because they dissipate body heat and allow the fox to maintain a
cool and therefore it doesn’t lose water through panting. Its large ears also
allow the fox to hear bugs and rodents from far away or underground. They have
a sandy coloured coat which allows them to blend in with the sand, it is also a
perfect colour so that heat from the sun can be reflected and not absorbed. The
fur also covers the bottom of its paws which stops its paws from getting burnt
on the hot sand. It also provides them with enough grip to run quickly on loose
sand. They have also adapted their sleep pattern so that they only come out in
the day if they really have to, otherwise they will hunt at night when the desert
is cooler. It has a thick coat so that it will still stay warm during the cold
nights. The fennec fox also has a very effective way of storing water in the
kidneys. If the fox does find a source of water it will drink as much as it
can. Its body will then kick into action and the kidneys will retain the water
and only release it when it is really needed. This is a very efficient way to
stop the fox becoming dehydrated.