Photo: Nico Smit 2004
Bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis (Desmarest, 1822)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Otocyon
Species: megalotis
The colloquial name of the bat-eared fox (Afrikaans = bakoorjakkals) draws attention to its large ears. They resemble small jackals, but they are not jackals. When disturbed, individuals will scatter while twisting and turning as they run - the quick turns are enhanced by sudden flicks of the tail. This gave rise to another colloquial name, draaijakkals (= Afrikaans), although the Cape fox (Vulpes chama) is often also known by this name.
The harvester termites (Hodotermes mossambicus and Michrohodotermes viator) are very important food items and the distribution of bat-eared foxes is governed to some extent by the occurrence of these termites.
Bat-eared foxes feed in groups and more than a dozen individuals from several groups may feed and mingle freely at rich food patches.
Literature
Skinner, J.D. and Smithers, R.H.N., 1990. The Mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, South Africa.