Bat-eared fox (64)

Today I'm going to focus on the single member of the genus Otocyon, in the family Canidae: the bat-eared fox, or O. megalotus. So central are ears to this little animal's being, they figure into both its generic name, which translates (from the Greek) to 'ear' + 'dog', and its specific name (also Greek), meaning 'big ear'. It is, as the American Museum of Natural History explains, "a small predator that can be found in regions of eastern and southern Africa. On average, it weighs only 7–12 pounds (3–5 kg). Unlike most canids, it specializes in hunting the tiniest of prey: insects. And where are insects often found? Poop!" 

There are two subspecies, O. m. virgatus of East Africa and O. m. megalotus of southern Africa. The two differ in the details of their pelage, and in lifestyle: whereas the northern group is mostly nocturnal, the southern group shifts from nocturnal foraging in summer to mostly diurnal foraging in winter. 

They are considered the only truly insectivorous canid, with a marked preference for harvester termites (Hodotermes mossambicus), which make up 80–90 percent of their diet. When those termites are in short supply, they branch out to other insects—including dung beetles, which are found in and around, you guessed it, poop!, especially that of zebra and antelopes. They also occasionally dine on bird eggs, small mammals and lizards, berries and seeds. 

Foraging techniques depend on prey type, but food is often located by walking slowly, nose close to the ground and those big ears tilted forward as they listen, listen. In fact, rather than using smell or sight, they rely mostly on auditory hunting. Their teeth are much smaller than in other canid species, an adaptation occasioned by their reliance on insects. 

Bat-eared foxes are highly social, living in pairs or groups, and unterritorial. They usually hunt in groups, though in the middle of winter (June–July) they may hunt alone. 

We were fortunate to see these beautiful animals when we were in Botswana years ago. Here are a couple more photos, and a video of one hunting.

Photo by Zweer de Bruin

Baby bat-eared fox at Zoo Krefeld: talk about too damn cute!

And here's a longer show about bat-eared foxes in Namibia, where I am strongly considering heading later in the year. Maybe we'll see us some more of them. That would be sweet.

Now you're going to ask how bat-eared foxes are different from fennec foxes, aren't you? I'll cover that some other time. Assuming I remember.