Bat-eared fox
Otocyon megalotis
Excellent diggers
Behavior and diet
Bat-eared foxes have large, wide ears, a short narrow mouth and long, jackal-like legs. This fox is easily recognizable by its large ears, which are 13 cm (5 inches) in length. The ears are full of blood vessels that shed heat and help keep the fox cool; they also give the animal a very good sense of hearing. The bat-eared fox generally live in short-grass prairies and arid grasslands and are only found in Africa. Two populations are known, one from Ethiopia and southern Sudan to Tanzania; the other from southern Angola and Rhodesia to South Africa. Bat-eared foxes utilize lairs dug by themselves for protection from severe temperatures and winds. Unlike most mammals of the canid family, the bat-eared fox favors a diet of insects, with a penchant for termites and grasshoppers. After a gestation period of two months, the female gives birth to one to five cubs.
Did you know?
- Feed mainly off invertebrates like termites, ants, grasshoppers and even scorpions.
- Most of the water in their diet comes from their food. They do well in arid climates.
- Bat-ear foxes have between 46 and 50 teeth!
- They can reverse direction while running and not lose speed.
- Bat-eared foxes are often found around large herbivores such as zebra and wildebeest, as termites also like the green grasses that these large ungulates feed on.
Bat-eared fox photos
photography safari
Photo taken at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Donak Safaris Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
22 Jan 2021
Bat-eared foxes are highly social animals, and are often live in pairs or g...
Photo taken at Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania by Africa Nature Photography & Safaris Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania
26 Mar 2019
Bat-eared fox cubs
Photo taken at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Neil Raffan Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
22 Jan 2017
Bat-eared fox in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Photo taken at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Northern Circuit Adventure Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
11 Mar 2015
Bat-eared Fox, Serengeti, Tanzania
Photo taken at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by tropicaltrailsarusha Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
10 Sep 2014
Bat eared Fox, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Photo taken at Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana by Roger Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
10 Dec 2015
Bat-Eared Fox
Photo taken at Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania by Maasai Wanderings Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania
21 Nov 2014
Found in these countries:
Botswana
Kenya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
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