By
Kelly Vaughn

Of the three fox species in Arizona, kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) are the smallest — adults typically weigh less than 5 pounds, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Spending their days in underground dens to avoid heat, these grayish mammals have notably big ears and thrive on rodents, animal eggs and small birds. Although they have a wide range, from Southern Arizona to Flagstaff and beyond, kit foxes prefer sandy desert washes. They stick with their partners for life, and small family groups share hunting grounds.