The fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is the smallest member of the dog family, yet it has some of the largest ears in proportion to body size of any canid. Adults usually weigh between 0.8 and 1.5 kilograms (1.8 to 3.3 pounds) and measure about 24 to 41 centimeters (9.4 to 16 inches) long, not counting their bushy tail. Those ears can be over 15 centimeters (6 inches) long, about a third of their body length.

Fennec foxes live in the deserts and semi-arid regions of North Africa, especially the Sahara. Their pale, cream-colored fur blends with the sand, reflecting sunlight during the day and helping conserve heat at night. Under that fur, thick hair covers the soles of their feet, protecting them from scorching sand and giving them better traction when running.