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Bat-eared fox

Mammals

The bat-eared fox, Otocyon megalotis, is a canid of the African savanna and the only extant species of the genus Otocyon, a sister to all other members of the tribe Vulpini rather than a true fox. It is found in Southern and East Africa as two populations, each a subspecies, separated by an unpopulated gap of about 1,000 kilometres. It forages in arid and semi-arid country, preferring bare ground where grazing animals keep the grass short, and finds prey by hearing, walking slowly with its nose to the ground and ears tilted forward. It eats mainly insects, a diet unique among canids, and most of it is harvester termites, which also supply its water. It digs dens and lives in social groups or pairs. No major threats are known, and it is considered a least-concern species.

Facts
Conservation Status
Least Concern 1
Body Size Band
Medium 3
Activity Pattern
Diurnal 3
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 3
Activity Pattern
Crepuscular 3
Lifespan
17 4
Classification
Diet
Insectivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 1
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 2
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Otocyon, Taxa
Source Wikipedia: Bat-eared fox

In Biome

Savanna, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Bat-eared fox
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Bat-eared fox
Wikipedia
  • Lead, conservation, living species
    No major threats to the bat-eared fox exist, and as such it is considered to be a least-concern species.
  • Lead, diet
    The bat-eared fox eats mainly insects
  • Lead, habitat
    The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox found on the African savanna.
  • Lead, fur
    In such regions, it has been hunted for its fur.
  • Child Taxon Of: Otocyon, Lead, genus
    The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox found on the African savanna.
  • In Group: Dogs And Wild Canids, Lead, canid
    The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox found on the African savanna.
  • In Biome: Savanna, Lead, savanna
    The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox found on the African savanna.
View the Source
2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Otocyon megalotis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
Quote, Conservation Status: CITES
No special status
View the Source
3. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Otocyon megalotis, BodyMass-Value (grams)
    Otocyon megalotis Canidae 50 20 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 4150.02
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Otocyon megalotis, Activity-Nocturnal
    Otocyon megalotis Canidae 50 20 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 4150.02
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Otocyon megalotis, Activity-Crepuscular
    Otocyon megalotis Canidae 50 20 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 4150.02
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Otocyon megalotis, Activity-Diurnal
    Otocyon megalotis Canidae 50 20 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 4150.02
View the Source
4. AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge entry for Otocyon megalotis
AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic ResourcesLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevity
Quote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevity
17 years (captivity)
View the Source
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