Mammals crepuscular

Bat-eared Fox

Otocyon megalotis

The ultimate listener of the African savanna, the Bat-eared Fox uses its satellite-dish ears to find its favorite snack: termites. These social, mask-wearing canids are a delight to spot on any trail camera.

7 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 46-66 cm (18-26 in); Height: 30-40 cm (12-16 in); Weight: 3-5.3 kg (6.6-11.7 lbs)

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Colors

Yellowish-brown to silvery-gray coat with black limbs, tail tip, and ear tips; features a distinct black 'mask' around the eyes.

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Key Features

Enormous dish-shaped ears up to 5 inches long
Black 'raccoon-like' mask across the eyes
Short, slender black legs and a bushy black-tipped tail
Small, pointed muzzle used for precision digging

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours 6 PM - 10 PM and 3 AM - 6 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily insectivorous; harvester termites make up nearly 80-90% of their diet. They also consume beetles, grasshoppers, scorpions, and occasional fruits or small rodents.

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Habitat Open grasslands, short-grass savannas, and arid shrublands where termites are plentiful.

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Behavior

Bat-eared Foxes are remarkably social compared to other canids, often found in stable pairs or small family groups. They spend a significant portion of their day engaged in social grooming, which helps reinforce family bonds and keep their fur free of parasites. While they are generally shy and will bolt for their dens if they sense a predator, they are also incredibly curious and can become habituated to a non-threatening human presence over time.

Unlike their more aggressive cousins, these foxes are peaceful foragers. They use their specialized hearing to detect the sound of insect larvae moving underground. When a meal is located, they use their front paws to dig with rapid, frantic movements. They are also known for their incredible agility; when chased, they can double back on their own tracks and make sharp turns at high speeds using their bushy tails as a rudder.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Bat-eared Fox, placement is everything. These foxes are low-slung animals, so you must position your camera much lower than you would for a deer or a jackal. Aim for a mounting height of about 12 to 15 inches off the ground. This 'fox-eye view' ensures you capture the full scale of their massive ears and their intricate facial markings without looking down on the top of their heads.

Look for active termite mounds or areas of 'disturbed' earth where they have been digging. Because they are most active during the twilight hours and throughout the night, a camera with a high-quality, 'No-Glow' infrared flash is essential. Standard white flashes can spook them, causing them to abandon a foraging spot. Set your camera to 'Burst Mode'—taking 3 to 5 photos per trigger—to catch the characteristic head-tilt they perform when listening for underground prey.

While they are drawn to insects, you can increase your chances of a sighting by placing your camera near a permanent water source, especially during the dry season. In arid environments, a simple birdbath or a shallow water pan placed on the ground can be a powerful lure for a thirsty family group. Be sure to use a high-speed SD card, as their digging and pouncing movements are rapid, and a slow write-speed might result in blurred action shots.

In terms of seasonal strategy, pay attention to the rains. Following the first heavy rains of the season, termite activity spikes, and Bat-eared Foxes will be out in force. During these times, focus your camera on open clearings rather than dense brush. Ensure your lens is wiped clean frequently, as the dry, dusty environments these foxes call home can quickly coat your equipment and soften the focus of your AI detection.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bat-eared Fox.

Cape Fox

Smaller, pointed ears and a more uniform silvery-gray coat without the black facial mask.

Aardwolf

Much larger with vertical black stripes on its body and a sloped, hyena-like back.

Black-backed Jackal

Taller and more dog-like with a distinctive dark 'saddle' of fur across its back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bat-eared Foxes are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk. However, in areas where it is very hot, they become almost entirely nocturnal to stay cool, while in cooler regions, they may bask in the sun during the day.

The best way to attract them is to maintain a natural landscape that supports insect life. Avoid using pesticides or insecticides, as termites and beetles are their primary food. A ground-level water source is also a major draw in dry environments.

They are insect specialists! Their diet is almost entirely composed of harvester termites, but they also enjoy dung beetles, crickets, and the occasional scorpion or small lizard.

They are typically found in more rural or wild settings, but they do occasionally frequent 'lifestyle plots' or suburban edges that border large stretches of open savanna or farmland.

Look at the ears and the face. Bat-eared Foxes have huge, rounded ears and a black 'mask' around their eyes. Cape Foxes have smaller, pointed ears, a more silver-colored coat, and lack the dark facial mask.

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