The bat-eared fox ( Otocyon megalotis ) is a fascinating canid species native to the African savanna. Named for its distinctively large ears, which aid in thermoregulation and hunting, this fox boasts a unique diet unlike any other canid. While many foxes are opportunistic omnivores, the bat-eared fox primarily sustains itself on insects, particularly harvester termites.
Basic Information About the Bat-Eared Fox
- Common Name: Bat-eared fox, long-eared fox
- Scientific Name: Otocyon megalotis
- Lifespan: 6-14 years in captivity
- Diet: Insectivore
- Adult Weight: 7-12 pounds
- Adult Size: Head to body length is 18-26 inches, with ears over 5 inches long
- Native Land: Sub-Saharan grasslands and arid savanna
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Fun Fact: Their large ears are used for thermoregulation, as well as to hear bugs in the ground for hunting.
Habitat and Distribution
The bat-eared fox has a disjunct distribution across the arid and semi-arid regions of Eastern and Southern Africa. Subspecies O. m. virgatus can be found from southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, through Uganda and Kenya to southwestern Tanzania; O. m. megalotis occurs in the southern part of Africa, ranging from Angola through Namibia and Botswana to South Africa, and extends as far east as Mozambique and Zimbabwe, spreading into the Cape Peninsula and toward Cape Agulhas. These foxes are adapted to these environments, commonly found in short grasslands, arid savannas, woodland edges, and open acacia woodlands. They prefer bare ground and areas where grass is kept short by grazing ungulates, hunting in these short grass and low shrub habitats. In addition to raising their young in dens, bat-eared foxes use self-dug dens for shelter from extreme temperatures and winds.
Social Behavior
Bat-eared foxes are social animals, living in pairs or groups. In southern Africa (ssp. megalotis), they live in monogamous pairs with pups, while those in eastern Africa (ssp. virgatus) may live in pairs, or in stable family groups consisting of a male and up to three closely related females with pups. Individuals forage, play, and rest together in a group, which helps in protection against predators. Visual displays, such as head and tail postures, are important in communication among bat-eared foxes.
The Insectivorous Diet
The bat-eared fox stands out among canids due to its heavy reliance on insects. Up to 80% of their diet consists of insects, primarily harvester termites. Their diet also includes other arthropods such as ants, beetles (especially scarab beetles or dung beetles), crickets, grasshoppers, millipedes, moths, scorpions, and spiders. They may also consume birds, birds' eggs and chicks, small mammals (rodents), reptiles, fungi (the desert truffle Kalaharituber pfeilii), berries, seeds, and wild fruit, but these are consumed rarely.
The bat-eared fox's wide habitat range matches that of their favorite food, the harvester termite. By feeding on harvester termites, it acts as a means of population control for these insects, which are considered pests in regions populated by humans. The bat-eared fox also hydrates from the harvester termites, as it does not drink from free-standing water.
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Foraging Behavior
Bat-eared foxes locate prey primarily by auditory means, rather than by smell or sight. They forage slowly, with their nose close to the ground and ears tilted forward, listening for the sounds of insects. Foraging patterns vary between seasons and populations, coinciding with termite availability. In eastern Africa, nocturnal foraging is the rule, while in southern Africa, nocturnal foraging during summer slowly changes to an almost solely diurnal pattern during the winter. Foraging techniques depend on prey type, but food is often located by walking slowly, nose close to the ground and ears tilted forward. It usually occurs in patches, which match the clumped prey resources, such as termite colonies, that also occur in patches.
Adaptations for an Insect-Based Diet
Several unique adaptations enable the bat-eared fox to thrive on its unusual diet:
- Large Ears: Their large ears are not only for thermoregulation but also for detecting the faintest sounds of insects moving underground.
- Specialized Dentition: Bat-eared foxes have more teeth (46 to 50) than most mammals. While other members of the dog family have two upper and three lower molars on each side of the mouth, bat-eared foxes have three upper and four lower molars. The teeth of the bat-eared fox are much smaller those of other canid species, excepting the bush dog ( Spetothos venaticus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus). The molars are much more blunted and the roots are stronger than those of other canids, and the teeth have less shearing capability.
- Subangular Process: On the lower jaw, a step-like protrusion is present called the subangular process, which is present in only a few canid species and both increases the bite force of the masseter muscle and anchors the large digastric muscle to allow for rapid chewing.
- Claws: The foxes' claws are made for digging, and they can create their own burrow or enlarge an empty one made by other wildlife. They are even known to use old termite mounds as dens.
Parental Care and Diet
In contrast to other canids, the bat-eared fox has a reversal in parental roles, with the male taking on the majority of the parental care behavior. The pups start to emerge from the den when 8 to 12 days old. The mother fox nurses her kits for 10 to 15 weeks, but unlike other canids, she rarely regurgitates solid food for them, as it would have a lot of hard insect parts that the kits could not digest. The father often brings food to the pups or watches them while the mother forages for her own food. He teaches his offspring how to forage, and he plays with them and grooms them, too.
Bat-Eared Foxes as Pets
While less common than fennec foxes, bat-eared foxes can be kept as pets. They are legal to own in some states, such as Texas, but it is important to check local laws. Bat-eared foxes are more trainable than fennec foxes and can learn simple commands. Their diet in captivity should consist of live insects, whole prey, and raw meat from reputable sources to avoid contamination. Commercial dog food can also be fed as an alternative, but it must be of the highest quality and supplemented with taurine.
Feeding Bat-Eared Foxes in Captivity
Fennec and bat-eared foxes thrive on a diet high in live insects, whole prey, and raw meat. Please be very careful when feeding raw, to any animal! You must only order raw diets and whole prey from reputable sources, because contaminated or spoiled raw meats can lead to salmonella and ultimately death. Improperly stored raw meats can also spoil, so please make sure to store them in a clean freezer and do not feed frozen raw meats that are too old. Raw meats and whole prey can be ordered online from many sources that carry feed for carnivorous reptiles and mammals. Insects can also be ordered online from vendors like rainbowmealworms.net if you cannot find a local source. Commercial dog food may also be fed as an alternative diet, but only brands and formulas of the highest quality. Think: real meat as the first ingredient, and no fillers in the first several ingredients. You must add a taurine powder supplement to the meal, since taurine is depleted during the cooking process. Fennec foxes should consume approximately 250mg of taurine daily, while bat-eared foxes should get 500g. Fruits and vegetables should not make up more than 10% of their diet.
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Here at Dragonstone Ranch, our foxes’ receive freshly prepared meals consisting of whole prey or raw meat, insects, and sometimes a small portion of fruits and vegetables. Bat-eared foxes at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park eat a fortified meat-based commercial carnivore diet, dog kibble, a small mouse, mealworms, and crickets.
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