Stumble this page! |
|
| Pictures of the bat-eared fox are copyrighted by their owners |
|
Bat-eared fox
Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae
Species : Otocyon megalotis
The Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis) exists in two separate populations, one is Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia, and the other in South African parts. These foxes stay at the grasslands and semi-deserts.
Bat-eared Foxes have grey-brown bodies, dark legs/ears, and the tails are adorned with a black mark. Its muzzle is small yet pointed, and the forehead is broad. One unusual characteristic of the Bat-eared Fox is their teeth, it possesses extra molars and a bat-eared fox could have up to fifty teeth. Their diet consists of insects, and termites comprise 50% of the diet consumption.
A Bat-eared Fox breeds just once in a year, and the cubs are born at the start of the rainy period. The Bat-eared Fox would take care of their newborns in just one place for a long time, and the gestation can last around ten weeks. There exists a high infant mortality rate, and you know why? Sadly, there are just four nipples of the female Bat-eared Fox, thus, she might be forced to kill some of the young so that at least 4 would hold better odds of surviving. When six months have passed, the kits would have grown, and she could leave the protection and nurturing.
They are monogamous, and they are capable of living in threes, that is, one male and two from the distaff side. If found in pairs, it could be observed that they play with each other, and generally aid each other. These kind of foxes are being hunted both for the meat and for their pelts. Without meaning to, mankind has actually helped them, the clearing of grasslands have permitted the increase of termites, and these foxes naturally are happy with that.
Picture of the Bat-eared fox by www.bourlingueurs.com
The Bat-eared fox is listed as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the bateared fox
A young / baby of a bateared fox is called a 'cub, kit or pup'. The females are called 'vixen' and males 'reynard, todd or dog'. A bateared fox group is called a 'leash or skulk'.Countries
Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and ZimbabweHabitats
Dry savanna, Grassland, Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation, Savanna, Shrubland, Subtropical / Tropical Dry Grassland and Subtropical / Tropical Dry Shrubland
Facts about the bat-eared fox
or Otocyon megalotis is listed on the IUCN Red list (1996) as Lower Risk/Least Concern . (Full text)
The Bat-eared Fox is a canid of the African savanna. (Full text)
The bat-eared fox is the only canid to have largely abandoned mammalian prey. (Full text)
Besides the large ears, the bat-eared fox is set apart from other foxes by its unique dentition. (Full text)
The Bat-Eared Fox is mostly noctournal preferring to go on termite hunting expeditions in the cooler nights. (Full text)
This little Bat-eared Fox is made by Hansa Plush. (Full text)
The bat-eared fox is an endangered species due to the dissapearance of its natural environment and the trade in their skins. (Full text)
Tip: Click on the first link on a line below to go directly to a page where "bat-eared fox" is defined. (Full text)
* The Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis) is found in acacia woodlands and plains from the Red Sea to Tanzania and in arid regions of southern Africa. (Full text)
Bat-eared fox or Otocyon megalotis is called "spoon-dog" in Dutch. (Full text)
The distinguishing feature of the bat-eared fox is the long ears, measuring up to 4 1/2 in. (Full text)
1. Oto, Otoe -- (a member of the Siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the Platte and Missouri rivers in Nebraska)Oto
Otoe
2. Oto, Otoe -- (a dialect of the Chiwere language spoken by the Oto people)
Oto
Otoe
(Source WordNet)