<< Previous Next >>

Bat Eared Fox


Bat Eared Fox
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-09-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-17 16:15
Viewed: 7245
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a scanned slide.

I believe tis is a rather unusual shot as Bat-eared Foxes are difficult to observe in daylight - at least that is what my guide told me. They are similar to the Aardwolf as they are largely insectivorous.

The bat eared fox occurs in two distinct populations, one in east Africa in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan; and one in southern Africa. They tend to prefer the grasslands and semi desert arid regions.

Their basic body color is greyish brown, with black legs and ears, a black stripe on their tail, and a black mask around their eyes and muzzle. They have a small, pointed muzzle and a broad forehead. Their ears are rather large, and can be 5 inches (12 cm) long. Large ears are characteristic of many desert mammals, and it is believed that they help to dissipate heat. They also have unusual teeth for a canid. Because they eat mostly insects, they have extra molars to help grind the hard casing. They can have as many as four upper molars, and 5 lower molars, totaling up to 50 teeth all together, at least 6-8 more than other species of canid. They have four mammae.

This fox eats mostly insects. Termites make up half their diet, 40% are beetles, and less than 10% are mice and lizards. They rely mostly on hearing to locate their prey. They pursue grasshoppers and winged insects by leaping after them in the air, they eat termites by licking them up with their tongue, and they catch lizards by dashing after them.
kag, Adanac, NellyD, Watershed, peter_stoeckl, Necipp, greenpinkorange, delic has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To delic: StrengthJamesp 3 03-20 12:23
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • kag Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 20] (106)
  • [2007-03-17 16:20]

A very good shot of this unusual looking creature. Very good colour and focus. Well done.
Kelly.

very cute, great light, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2007-03-17 21:38]

Hi James,
The ears have it, holy cow what a set of ears. Nice capture with great colors and nice details, thanks for sharing James.
Rick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-03-17 21:40]

Hello James

A beautiful capture.I like the colours and lighting.Great timing,you are so lucky to be at the right spot at the the right time.TFS

Rob

Hi James,

Very beautiful fox, and what big ears he has, I can see why it's called Bat eared fox :-)
Excellent capture, sharpness and details look greatespecially on his furr, colours are beautiful, good POV.
TFS

Greetings, Nel

Hi James,
Nice capture, I really like the *warm" colours. Excellent DOF and POV. Well done and TFS,
Stéph

Hi James,
an encounter of great intensity. I love the golden colours, and the aura on the fur highlighted by the backlight!
Thank you! Best regards,
Peter

Hello James nice shot, great writeup, amazing that it lives on insects mostly, great POV and nice colour backlight wasnt so good on the fur on top its still an awsome capture wish I had the time and money to do your kind of photos tfs rgds Necip.

This is a strange looking animal James. I like it long ears. I'm amazed to see that they mostly eat insects :) You caught nice details with good exposure, POV and composition. I wish I can see its eyes but they look very dark and small. Well done! Thanks,
Claudine

This one looks cautious and cunning at the same time.
a good natural shot of this guy. Nice.
steph

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-03-20 8:27]
  • [+]

Hello James,
Those ears are big but I suppose you need big ones for hearing to locate insects. Glad you had a chance to capture this one in a nice pose in warm daylight. I particularly admire your ability and strength in handholding a 300/2.8 :).
Best wishes,
Hakan

Nice pose and colors for a cute animal which is not so often on TN.
TFS
JM

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF