All foxes are pretty, but the little desert kit fox is the most likable. It is only the size of a large house cat and so gentle and full of curiosity that it sometimes follows people. If seen, it does not run off unless threatened. It makes a lovely picture with its large, furry, triangular ears standing alert, button nose sniffing the air, and its round eyes watching everything that’s going on.
The fur of the desert kit fox is usually gray with patterns of yellow and black. It has a typical fox’s bushy tail, which is about half the length of its 20-inch-long body. Its short legs are muscular, and although it cannot run fast for long distances, it can make quick turns to disappear into brush or behind rocks.
When Jesus was on earth, He said, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head” (Matthew 8:2020And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)). How sad to think that the very Creator of the world was the One who had no place to lay His head at night! But He has provided a safe home for foxes where they can rest and sleep.
Dens of the kit fox are usually made by digging a burrow in firm sand or dirt or under tree roots. Sometimes the fox may move into a den abandoned by another animal. The burrows are usually six or seven feet long with more than one opening for emergencies.
Normally four or five kits are born soon after the den is completed. The father fox brings food to the mother while she stays with the kits. Gradually she acquaints them with the outdoors, teaching them to catch rodents, lizards, insects and even birds and how to protect themselves from enemies.
The Creator has well adapted these desert citizens to their surroundings with coats blending in with the desert. The soles of their feet are covered with fur, but the toes remain bare so they can dig in the ground. Scorpions abound in such places, and their bite is deadly to most foxes, but God has given the desert fox immunity to the poison so it does not affect them. He has also given them keen hearing, vision and sense of smell, all to help them find food and to protect them from their enemies.
The Bible expresses this well: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9)). But there is more than this in His love for every person who will respond to Him. Psalm 31:1919Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19) says, “Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee.” Have you found this happiness of truly trusting in Him?
ML-02/07/2016