Bat-eared Fox
wildlife of Namibia
Introduction - Bat-eared fox are monogamous and can often be found in groups comprising of a mated pair and their offspring. The massive ears of the bat eared fox allows the creature to detect invertebrates below ground, it will then dig frantically to unearth its meal. Predators of the fox include large birds of prey, spotted hyenas and larger cats, if a family member is caught other bat-eared fox will attempt to rescue it by bravely attacking the predator using harassment techniques which include biting the ankles of larger predators.
Although not noisy animals they can also be heard calling one another with shrill 'who-who who' calls. They mark their territorial boundaries by urinating on bushes and trees. The bat-eared fox is an endangered species due to the disappearance of its natural environment and the trade in their skins.
Bat-eared foxes are found across all of Namibia. They are known to follow the rain as insects tend to be more plentiful when it rains. They don’t like areas of dense bush and favour short grass with bare patches.
Diet - termites are the favourite food of the bat-eared fox. It also feeds on insects, small rodents, lizards, small snakes and wild fruit.
Colouring - fur is a beautiful silver-grey colour and it has a bushy tail about 25cm in length
Breeding - Cubs are born after a gestation period of about two months and are weaned in a year. The cubs are born in complex underground dens, usually during spring or early summer. Both parents participate in raising the offspring but it's up to the male to initiate the young in the art of hunting.
Size - The Bat-eared Fox has a shoulder height of only 30cm, a length of about 75cm and weighs less than 5 kilograms.
