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Bat-eared Fox
ExploreMammals
Bat-eared Fox
Otocyon megalotis
The Bat-eared Fox is a small, cute fox with big ears! They love to eat insects and can be found in the grasslands of Africa, where they use their ears to hear tiny sounds.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Bat-eared Fox has a tan-grey coat with striking black markings on its legs, muzzle, and bushy tail. Its most distinctive feature is its exceptionally large, dark ears, which can reach 13 cm long and rotate independently to pinpoint sounds.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyCanidaeGenusOtocyon
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A Bat-eared Fox can snap up to 5,000 termites in just one night!
A group of Bat-eared Foxes is called a "skulk" or a "leash"!
They get almost all the water they need from the insects they eat!
Unlike most fox species, male Bat-eared Foxes do most of the pup care!
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Listener
Bat-eared Fox can locate tiny insects moving underground because their huge, independently rotating ears detect the faintest sounds.
Ability
Termite Eater
Bat-eared Fox has 48-50 small, sharp teeth that help them efficiently chew thousands of termites and other hard-shelled insects.
Ability
Family Fortress Builder
Bat-eared Fox can live in family groups and use their strong claws to dig complex burrows for shelter and raising their pups.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-66 cm
- Weight
- 3-5.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Top Speed
- 55 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-6
- Gestation
- 60-70 days
Diet & Feeding
These foxes mostly munch on millions of insects, especially termites, using their amazing hearing to find them.
Primary Foods
- Termites
- Dung Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Scorpions
- Crickets
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Black-backed Jackal
Canis mesomelas
Common predator of both adults and pups.
eaten by
Tawny Eagle
Aquila rapax
Preys on young and smaller Bat-eared Foxes.
eats
Harvester Termite
Hodotermes mossambicus
Primary food source, hunted by the thousands.
eats
Mound-building Termite
Macrotermes natalensis
Another key termite species in their diet.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always watch animals from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Bat-eared Fox?
46-66 cm
How much does Bat-eared Fox weigh?
3-5.3 kg
How long does Bat-eared Fox live?
6-10 years
How fast can Bat-eared Fox move?
55 km/h
What does Bat-eared Fox eat?
These foxes mostly munch on millions of insects, especially termites, using their amazing hearing to find them.
Where is Bat-eared Fox usually found?
Grasslands
How does Bat-eared Fox hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Bat-eared Fox usually have?
3-6
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