habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
In southern Africa, the prime habitat is mainly short-grass plains and areas with bare ground (Mackie & Nel 1989), but Bat-eared Foxes are also found in open scrub vegetation and arid, semi-arid or winter rainfall (Fynbos or Cape Macchia) shrub lands, and open arid savannah. They are absent from true desert or afforested areas. The range of both subspecies overlaps almost completely with that of Hodotermes and Microhodotermes termite genera prevailing in the diet (Mackie & Nel 1989; Maas 1993a). Recent empirical evidence confirms that these foxes are primarily acoustic foragers (Renda & Le Roux 2017), unlike many other canids who rely on visual and olfactory cues while hunting.Density, home range size, and group size appear to be affected by both bottom-up (i.e. termite abundance; Maas 1993b) and top-down factors (i.e. Black-backed Jackal numbers; Kamler et al. 2013b). Group size varies with the time of the year, with the monogamous pair being accompanied by up to six cubs prior to the dispersal period (Kamler et al. in press). Groups forage as a unit in home ranges that may increase during the dry season, due to changes in food resources and group sizes. These home ranges are patrolled and urine-marked and will be defended, with the outcome determined by group size. These family groups may be extended by philopatric daughters from several generations (Maas 1993b). In the Serengeti (Tanzania), behavioural evidence on group and pair formation and the existence of âsuper familiesâ, consisting of one male and up to three closely related breeding females, raises interesting questions about regular inbreeding between males and their daughters from several generations (see Maas 1993a). That said, dispersal patterns by all sex and age groups, especially adult females, appears to reduce the opportunities for inbreeding (Kamler et al. 2013a).
Pair-bonding and mating peak during late winter and early summer, with births occurring at the onset of the wet season, in September to December. A single litter of 1â6 cubs (usually 5) is produced annually after a 60 to 75-day gestation period. Extra-pair paternity is low in this species, presumably because the diet of Bat-eared Foxes allows pair members to maintain proximity, while discouraging roaming (Wright et al. 2010). Males play an important role in the raising of the young, spending more time than females with cubs, grooming, guarding and playing with them, and defending them against predators (Wright 2006; Nel & Maas 2013). In the Kalahari, weaning is prompted after the first rains and subsequent flush of insects.
Ecosystem and cultural services: Several bird species apparently benefit from this species during winter, as they consume termites which are dug up by the Bat-eared Foxes (Stenkewitz & Kamler 2008).
- Ecosystem service: influence vegetation structure by digging.
- Ecosystem service: influence disease dynamics as possible vectors of a number of viruses (such as rabies and canine distemper virus).
- Cultural service: skin use, plus various other body parts used in traditional zootherapeutic preparations.
