Oh Baby, I love Ears!
Maybe it’s my background in the dog world—having raised Papillons with their large, butterfly-like ears—that makes me fall in love with every animal that sports oversized ears. I don’t know for sure, but I do know that I have a deep fondness for the Bat-Eared Fox.
These adorable little creatures are lively, often skittish, and rarely linger in the open. Thriving in arid and semi-arid environments, they prefer open landscapes where ungulates keep the grasses short. Many of our encounters over the years have involved watching them dart away, their oversized ears twitching as they scurry away. They seem to prefer the security of cover, only truly relaxing near their dens, where a quick escape is always an option.
One of the most remarkable things about the Bat-Eared Fox is its diet—it primarily feeds on insects, a rarity among canids. And those oversized ears? They aren’t just for show. Unlike most foxes that rely on sight or smell, these little hunters use their extraordinary hearing to locate prey, often detecting insects beneath the surface. Moving with their noses close to the ground and ears tilted forward, they listen intently for the slightest movement before striking. Harvester termites make up the majority of their diet, providing not only nourishment but also hydration. In fact, Bat-Eared Foxes rarely drink from free-standing water, relying instead on the moisture content of their prey. By consuming vast numbers of termites, they play a vital role in keeping populations in check, acting as nature’s pest control.
Another unique aspect of the Bat-Eared Fox is its family structure. While they are predominantly monogamous, polygynous groups have been observed. What truly sets them apart, however, is their role reversal in parenting. Unlike most canids, where the female takes on the majority of pup-rearing duties, Bat-Eared Fox fathers are the primary caregivers. While the female focuses on foraging to maintain milk production, it is the male who grooms, defends, snuggles with, and even carries the pups between den sites. Studies have shown that the more attentive the father, the higher the survival rate of the pups.
On a few special occasions, we’ve been lucky enough to find a den with young pups. In areas where safari vehicles pass regularly, fox families can become accustomed to human presence, allowing for incredible observations. I’ll never forget watching a playful batch of pups chase each other in the golden light of sunset, only to find them the next morning, basking in the warmth of the first rays of sunlight.
There’s something truly special about these little foxes—whether it’s their expressive ears, their endearing skittishness, or the rare moments when they allow us a glimpse into their secretive world. Every encounter is a reminder that even the smallest creatures have fascinating stories to tell.
