Thaela

Beneath the shifting sands of Tifira, there is a sprawling system of caves and tunnels. Many of these are too small for humans to traverse, but many smaller species have found ways to thrive. Commonly seen around the entrances to the caverns, the largest of these creatures surviving in the caves are the thaela. Resembling a fox, and possibly a cousin to the fennec, thaelas spend most of their lives in the caves. They will occasionally come to surface at night for water, or to eat plants for hydration.
Thaelas primarily survive by hunting insects and lizards that also make their homes in the cave system. These species of insects and lizards spend more time on the surface, eating the various plants and other they can find in the desert. They then retire to the caves, where thaela wait for them, ready to strike and hunt them down.
The large ears of the thaela help them listen for prey and predators and keep them cool by distributing heat. They have large eyes that allow them to see better in the caves and in the surface at night, making them sensitive to bright lights and daylight. Their light-colored fur allows them to blend in with their sandy surroundings and offers protection from wind and sand.
The small size of the thaela allows them to hide among smaller sections of the caves for safety. Large birds and mammals that hunt in the desert will often make thaelas their prey. Though the hunters will often try to follow thaelas into the caves, as the tunnels grow smaller, the thaela are able to go further in where they cannot be reached.
Thaela are not considered prey by humans in the desert. Historically, they were bred and hunted for their hides and furs, but once the domestication of sheep became prevalent, this practice fell out of favor. Some adventurous individuals have tried to domesticate the animals, and some are held in captivity as pets for the amusement of travelers who have never seen one before. Most people simply appreciate the thaela as a part of everyday life without considering its impact on the environment.
The thaela is the mascot animal of an old family of Tifiran nobility, who stretch back for centuries. Known for their orchestrations and schemes, it is said that they identify with the thaela due to their cunning and ability to escape tights situations.