Details
Otocyon megalotis
Bat-eared fox is a small African fox whose huge ears help detect insects underground. Its insect-heavy diet makes fire management and pesticide use relevant pressures.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It lives in short grassland, savanna, and dry plains of eastern and southern Africa. Main habitat types in this guide are savanna, grassland, desert.
Typical length 46-66 cm, weight 3 kg-5.3 kg. Enormous ears, gray-brown fur, black legs, and a dark tail tip are typical.
It is nocturnal and often seen in pairs. Pairs or family groups use dens and sweep their ears while listening for termites.
It is omnivorous. Termites and beetles dominate, with small animals, eggs, and fruit also taken.
Pups grow in dens, and males often help guard and care for them.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Its insect-heavy diet makes fire management and pesticide use relevant pressures.
