Bat Eared Fox - Otocyon megalotis
The bat-eared fox is the only canid
to have largely abandoned mammalian prey in favour of insects. The
majority of their diet is made up of insects, particularly termites
and grasshoppers. A very small precentage of their diet includes
lizards, small birds, eggs, small mammals and fruit.The Bat-eared
fox is found from mid to southern Africa. Its coloration is light
fawn underneath with mixed hairs of brown and gray above. It has
a black mask and legs as well as black hair on the back of its huge
ears. Those ears are its most distinguishing feature. They have
keen hearing to catch insects, small rodents, etc. to add to their
diet which also includes bird eggs and chicks and some vegetable
matter. Wild bat-eared foxes live in small groups. Best viewing
in the Okavango Detla are Third Bridge area, Xaxanaka, Santawani
in Moremi and Nxai Pan.
|
