The desert fox that lent its name to the mission to attack Iraq is actually more than one species. Probably the best known is the Fennec Fox (Fennecus zerda), which lives in the Sahara and other desert regions of north Africa.
It grows to about 15 inches long and has very large bat-like ears, which radiate excess body heat and enhance the animal's keen sense of hearing. The Fennec Fox has the ability to leap four times its body length, and disappear by diving into sand.
Another true desert fox is the Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis), which lives in the deserts of north America. Small and elusive, the Kit Fox hunts at night and spends the hot days underground in cool burrows.
The Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), also lives in the open deserts of south-west America, as well as wooded areas. About three feet long, it is the only member of the dog family that can climb trees, usually to seek refuge or in search of roosting birds.
The Gray Fox may build a den as much as 75 ft long with 10 or more exits.