Two gerbils look for protection against the blistering sun in the shadow of an agave. These small rodents are perfectly adapted to living in hot, dry regions. They can even run on hot desert sand on the furry soles of their feet. Since it is so hot during the day, they only come out in the evening to look for fruit and seeds. During the day they usually sleep in their burrows, deep beneath the earth. It is much cooler there than outside.