Bat-eared fox

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 18, 201161 views6 comments

This is a very strange foxy difficult to be seen even if it is fairly common. We spotted this pal in NGORONGORO while leaving the crater.
Question: What do you think those ears are used for?

Techs: D2Xs, nikkor 300 f/4 - iso 200 - 1/180s metering spot, HH from car window

C&C always appreciated

Cheers, Luca

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on March 18, 2011 at 6:53 PM

Really cool species. I would put two functions on these ears:
1. Thermo regulations: big surface dissipates heat faster (I'm guessing that these guys live in hot environments even though I don't really know that)
2. Excellent hearing of course to find those sneaky rodents in the ground.

Am I on to something?

Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on March 19, 2011 at 2:07 AM

They really are rare to find and photograph, even though they are not endangered. Andrius has hit the nail on the head about the function of the ears, and I'd agree with both of those views. I think these foxes also hunt insects that are just under the surface of the ground, and those enormous ears can pick out the sounds made by these insects as they scurry around.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 19, 2011 at 5:10 AM

Only ever seen this species at my local zoo, so real nice to see a picture of one in it's natural habitat, thanks for sharing Luca :^)

Cheers!

Ashley

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on March 19, 2011 at 6:41 PM

Andrius and Ajit you got he point. Ears are used to discover small preys sneaking underground.

ciao

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 20, 2011 at 9:59 AM

Hi Luca,

Nice to see an image of such a rarely photographed species. In terms of the ear function - the thermo-regulatory function is logical but to date has not been proven. These guys don't eat rodents - they're one of the few canids that feeds almost exclusively on insects (and locating those appears to be the primary function of the ears), tho' in a few populations in southern Africa they also go for berries and other fruit.

This image shows the ears very well, which is probably the most critical thing in portraying this species. But...part of me still wishes the little guy had turned its head up and shown us its eyes as well!

Cheers...thanks for sharing this Luca...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on March 20, 2011 at 2:41 PM

Hi Brad, You're right about thermoregulation function of the ears, it is not yet proved for this species while it is proved their chasing function.
About rodents, I'm sorry but they do eat rodents even if they're not the main course for sure. BEFs diet is based of insects but it also includes spiders, scorpions, small birds, fruit, reptiles and small rodents. In proportions, analysis reported that insects occupies more than 90% of scats(termites and beetles on top - It has been estimated that BEF eat something like 40500 termites per hectare per year-), fruits up to 50%; Mice and reptiles each occur in about 15% of stomachs, scorpions in about 20% of scats and stomachs.

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments