Otocyon is a monotypic genus of canids, family Canidae, containing only the bat-eared fox, Otocyon megalotis, found in two separated African savanna populations, one from Sudan through Tanzania and one from Angola to South Africa, roughly 1,000 kilometers apart. It is small, 3 to 5.3 kilograms, with notably oversized ears 11 to 13 centimeters long used for both thermoregulation and locating prey, and is the only canid considered truly insectivorous, feeding mainly on harvester termites with the aid of unique dentition of 46 to 50 blunted teeth.
Facts
Classification
Living or Extinct Taxonomic Rank In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Angola, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Botswana, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Ethiopia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Kenya, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Malawi, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Mozambique, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Namibia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Somalia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: South Africa, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Tanzania, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Uganda, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Zambia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Zimbabwe, found in there.
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ10803425, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Bat-eared fox
WikipediaIntroductionQuote, Introduction
It is the only extant species of the genus Otocyon, and is the sister species to all other members of the tribe Vulpini, not genetically being a true fox.
Wikidata: Otocyon
Wikidata Q200400, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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