Fennec Fox

The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small fox native to the deserts of North Africa, ranging from Western Sahara to the Sinai Peninsula. It has large ears, which serve to dissipate heat and listen for underground prey. The fennec is the smallest species of fox. Its coat, ears, and kidney functions have adapted to the desert environment with high temperatures and little water. It eats insects, small mammals, and birds. Its main predators are the Verreaux's eagle-owl, jackals, and other large mammals. Fennec families dig out burrows in the sand for habitation and protection. 
Description
The fennec fox has sand-colored fur which reflects sunlight during the day and helps keep warm at night. Its nose is black. Its tail has a black tip. Its long ears have reddish stripes on the back and are so densely haired inside that the external auditory meatus is not visible. The edges of the ears are whitish, but darker on the back. The ear to body ratio is the greatest in the canid family and likely helps in dissipating heat and locating vertebrates. It has dark streaks running from the inner eye to either side of the slender muzzle. Its large eyes are dark. The pads of its paws are covered with dense fur, which facilitates walking on hot, sandy soil
Distribution and habitat
The fennec fox is distributed throughout the Sahara, from Morocco and Mauritania to northern Sudan, through Egypt and its Sinai Peninsula. It inhabits small sand dunes and vast treeless sand areas with sparse vegetation such as grasses, sedges and small shrubs.
Behaviour and ecology
A fennec fox digs its den in sand, either in open areas or places sheltered by plants with stable sand dunes.
Hunting and Diet
The fennec fox is an omnivore, feeding on small rodents, lizards, geckos, skinks, small birds and their eggs, fruits and also some tubers. It relies on the content of prey, but drinks water when available. It hunts alone and digs in the sand for small vertebrates and insects.
Diseases
Fennec foxes are susceptible to canine distemper virus, displaying fever, mucopurulent ocular discharge, diarrhea, severe emaciation, seizures, generalized ataxia, death, severe dehydration, brain congestion and gastric ulcers.
Predators
African Horned Owl species like the Pharaoh eagle-owl prey on Fennec Fox pups while Caracals Jackals and Striped Hyenas also prey on the Fennec Fox