Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Bat-eared Fox

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Bat-eared Fox
Page 42

Otocyon megalotis

Length: 47-66 cm (20-28")

Tail: 23-43 cm (9-14")

Weight: 3-4.5 kg (6.6-10 lb.)

Habitat: Bat-eared foxes are found in dry open country, acacia savannas and associated plains and grasslands.

Food: Harvester termites (Hodotermes) are this fox’s favorite prey. It will also eat beetles, scorpions, grasshoppers and other invertebrates. Sometimes, lizards, mice or grass rats may be taken but this is by no means common. Fruits are eaten on rare occasions.

Serengeti foxes will also eat the eggs of ground nesting birds. In the Mara, safari ants are a favorite dry season food.

Bat-eared foxes locate the termites by sound. Their large ears help them fix the underground location of their prey before they begin to dig. They can hear dung beetle larvae 15 to 30 centimeters (6-12") under hard ground.

They simply lick termites and ants up. Their dense fur protects them against the bites of soldier termites.

Bat-eared foxes have between 46 and 50 sharp teeth. This is more teeth than any other non-marsupial land mammal. The teeth are designed for slicing up hard-bodied insects.

Social System: Pairs form lifelong bonds. They may be accompanied by up to six pups. Pups are born in a den after a gestation period of 60 days. Litters often contain runts that will not survive unless conditions are excellent. Cubs are fed only on milk.

Home ranges in the Serengeti average 79 hectares (195 acres) and in the Mara, 353 hectares (872 acres). The size of the range is determined by the presence of the harvester termites. These, in turn, depend to a degree on rainfall and the movement of the great herds. The Serengeti plains are a richer environment than the Mara's, at least in terms of producing harvester termites.

Bat-eared foxes have reached the highest densities ever recorded for a canid-species. Twenty-eight pairs were once counted per square kilometer (70 pairs per square mile). A more typical density is 3.4 per 21 square kilometers (3.4 per 8 square miles). Home ranges often overlap and there is little aggression between foraging families.

Behavior: Bat-eared foxes are most active during the night. They must forage for many hours in order to obtain enough insects to survive. Although the family may forage together, each animal is responsible for its own food. Bat-eared foxes do not share food.

Predators: Large and small eagles take cubs. Jackals and spotted hyenas may take cubs and adults although fox pairs will try to chase away these large predators. Foxes have an excellent ability to zigzag. They use their tails as a rudder to help them make sharp turns.

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