Page 33 - Dog
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Big ears of the sand fox HALF A FENNEC FOX, HALF A RED FOX
are typical of “hot foxes” Often confused with the fennec, this small desert
– but they’re not as big fox from North Africa and the Arabian Desert
as those of the fennec actually shares many characteristics with the red
fox (pp. 28–29). Although its skull, teeth, and
coloring are similar to the red fox’s, this
sand fox has a smaller body, is
more delicately built, and has
much bigger ears.
A WHITER SHADE OF PALE
The pale fox lives in grasslands
at the southern edge of the
Sahara Desert in Africa. Like
the fennec, it is a small,
pale-colored fox.
Long bushy tail can be
curled around the body
to keep it warm during
cold desert nights
Rüppell’s sand fox
AFTER A MEAL
The fennec must have sharp
Thick ruff of senses (pp. 14–15) and quick
very fine fur movements if it is to catch these
around the neck jumping rodents.
SWIFTLY, SWIFTLY The kit fox lives in the
The kit, or swift, fox is the only deserts of North America
desert fox in North America.
Today, it is found only in the
southwestern U.S. and
Mexico. It used to be much
more widespread until
poisoned bait, meant for
wolves and coyotes, also
killed many kit foxes.
Adult Arctic fox in Thick fur on feet
pale winter coat almost hides claws
31
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.

