Deserts: Life Without Water

Under the blazing sun, little Fennec Fox stood on a giant sand dune. His extraordinarily large ears helped him stay cool in the dry heat.

The bright heat rippled across the endless sand. Fennec Fox looked around, searching for a cool place to hide from the growing heat.

The midday sun beat down fiercely. Fennec Fox trotted quickly, searching the endless dunes for any small patch of cool shade.

A tiny shrub clung to the dry sand. Fennec Fox hurried toward it, hoping its small branches would offer a bit of cool shade.

He reached the tiny shrub and sniffed the dry ground beneath its branches. This was the perfect spot to start digging.

With his strong paws, Fennec Fox quickly dug a deep scoop in the sand. He worked fast as the dusty wind began to blow.

Dust swirled all around him as the wind grew stronger. Fennec Fox kept digging, making his cool shelter deeper and safer.

Finally, the deep hole was ready. Fennec Fox curled up inside, safe from the stinging wind outside.

At noon, the desert became silent and baking hot. Safe inside his sandy burrow, Fennec Fox waited patiently for the heat to pass.

With his long tail tucked warm and cozy, Fennec Fox slept peacefully. His big ears listened to the quiet desert above.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the desert sky turned a cool purple. Fennec Fox stepped out into the refreshing night air.

Under the starry sky, he leaped and played. With his special ears and cozy burrow, the dry desert was his perfect, happy home.