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Socio‐ecology of Bat‐eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis)
Author(s) -
Malcom J. R.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1986.tb01907.x
Subject(s) - biology , ecology , foraging , wildebeest , predation , insectivore , habitat , home range , harem , trampling , range (aeronautics) , zoology , grazing , national park , materials science , composite material
Bat‐eared foxes were studied for eight months at four sites in Kenya and Tanzania with the main study in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Eleven foxes were caught and four fitted with radio‐collars. Foxes in Masai Mara feed mainly on ants and termites. They showed a marked preference for short grass habitat, and their range expanded when wildebeest lowered grass height by grazing and trampling. Foxes lived in groups (x̄= 2.8) with overlapping home ranges, and relations between groups were usually amicable. Foxes gave birth from September‐December and all members of the group provided some care to the cubs. A review of Bat‐eared fox ecology from other studies reveals a consistent picture of this aberrant insectivorous canid. The species foraging strategy involves locating social insects by sound in short grass areas. The species is able to find suitable habitat and multiply rapidly. Although usually living in monogamous pairs, reports of polygyny, and non‐reproductive males in groups also exist. Living in groups may increase each fox's chance of feeding on insect swarms, and also provides protection from predators.