MAMMAL MONDAY # 41

MAMMAL MONDAY # 41

We’re off to South Africa desert today to meet a very special member of the canid family! Be on the lookout for a pair of BIG ears! Ssssshhh… we don’t want to scare them!

MEET THE BAT EARED FOX!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern-South Africa/ desert-scrub

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, termites, dung beetles

   Length/Weight: 18-26”/ 4 ½-10 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Bat eared foxes have HUGE ears, over 5” long!
• Bat eared foxes have more teeth than any other mammal, up to 48!
• They are nocturnal (active at night).
• Bat eared foxes locate their prey by sound.
• They live in family groups of 2-5 individuals.
• Bat eared foxes live in dens underground.

Aren’t these foxes so cute with their giant ears? And we thought only Ellie had big ears! Can you imagine being able to hear bugs? That is crazy!