The smallest fox in the world

In harsh desert and semi-desert areas, high temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius often occur. In this environment, many small mammals can't stand it and can't survive. However, there is a cute little guy who is completely different. Not only can he adapt to this environment perfectly, but he can even feed on some reptiles such as snakes and scorpions.

This little guy is called the cutest species in the desert-the ear fox (alias: big ear fox).

The "smallest" and "largest" foxes in the world.

Ear fox is the smallest fox in the world and one of the smallest canines. Their average weight is only two kilograms, and the adult body length is only about 40 centimeters, even smaller than many domestic cats.

Their fur is soft, their skin color is mostly milky yellow, and they are born with a delicate and touching appearance, which is very cute. Of course, the most distinctive place is its big ears, which are extremely disobedient. Their body length is only about 40 cm, but their ears are as long as 15 cm, which is second to none in the animal kingdom.

This strange ratio also makes it the "smallest" and "largest" fox in the world.

Rely on "windward ears" and feed on "snakes and scorpions"

Although the black fungus fox is harmless and small, it survives by strength in the harsh desert, and all this depends on its big ears.

We all know that the desert environment is hot and short of water, and the ear fox has long adapted to this environment. When there is water shortage, it can eat the blood of prey or the roots of plants to replenish water, and when there is water, it can drink enough at one time.

In hot weather, they can rely on their big ears to "dissipate heat". This is because their ears are very thin and covered with blood vessels. In addition, their ears are large, and they have wider contact with air, so the heat in their blood can be dissipated faster, just like a "radiator" they carry with them, thus lowering their body temperature and maintaining it in a safe temperature range. In addition, they spend most of the day and night outside, so they are very drought-tolerant.

The big ears of the ear fox can not only be used to dissipate heat and maintain body temperature, but also the most critical "tool" for their predation and survival.

As we all know, it is difficult to hunt in the desert, but the ear fox is an omnivore with a wide range of feeding habits, and will eat some small reptiles, including small snakes, mice, scorpions, lizards and so on.

Predating scorpions

These big ears are very useful when looking for food. They have very powerful detection and monitoring functions, comparable to "windward ears". You can even hear the heartbeat of the mouse hiding in the sand, so as to keenly judge the hiding position of the prey, and then lock it and attack quickly. Sensitive reactions are easy to prey on young snakes, scorpions and other poisons. If the first harvest is full, they will hide their prey under the sand and wait for the next one.

Prey on prey hidden in the sand

Similarly, this powerful "windward ear" can also hear movements hundreds of meters away in the desert, and can distinguish the subtle differences of sound waves emitted by different species, thus distinguishing prey from natural enemies. If they hear the sound of natural enemies nearby, they will run away quickly and flee back to the cave.

It is with these stunts that such a petite and unremarkable animal has a foothold in the desert. The Algerian people like this little guy very much, and even listed it as a "national treasure". Not only that, even the name of the national football team is named after it, and it is called the "desert fox". It was also named "the cutest animal in the desert" by CNN. It is enough to see everyone's love for the big-eared fox.