The kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) is a small fox distributed in deserts and arid grasslands from the southwestern United States to northern Mexico. Its large ears, relative to its body, not only detect faint sounds in the surroundings but also help dissipate heat. The soles of its feet are covered with fur, allowing it to walk comfortably on hot ground. During the day it avoids heat and predators by sheltering in burrows it digs, becoming active at night when temperatures drop. It feeds primarily on small mammals such as kangaroo rats, and also eats rabbits, birds, reptiles, and insects; it can obtain moisture from its food and live without standing water. The species as a whole is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, but urban and agricultural expansion, roads, and habitat fragmentation have severely pressured populations in some regions.