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Ambassadors for raising awareness for the plight of the Bat-eared Foxes and other small predators on South African farmland.  Highlights the importance of the Livestock Guarding Dog Program which results in the removal of shooting, snares, traps and poison in African farms.

 

Firefox was part of a litter born at Cheetah Outreach to Brad and Janet on 2 November 2013. She remained at Cheetah Outreach to keep Janet company after she lost her mate. Firefox has a very “wild” temperament since she was raised by her mother, becoming the matriarch since her passing.

The most prominent feature of the bat-eared fox is its exceptionally large ears, which are among the largest of any canid in proportion to body size. The large ears are adapted for the fox’s primarily nocturnal lifestyle. They provide an enhanced ability to detect sounds in low-light conditions, aiding in hunting and predator avoidance during the night.

 

Diggory came from Bester Birds and Animals Zoo in August 2014 to be a partner to Janet. Of course, like any other “men”, who would choose to flirt with the older one, when you have such youngster in the vicinity. Bat-eared foxes fur requires some maintenance, specially with the changing of seasons, making brushing the one thing Diggory does not like.

The bat-eared fox’s ears also play a role in thermoregulation. Blood vessels in the ears help dissipate excess body heat, contributing to the fox’s ability to regulate its body temperature in the often hot African savannas where it is found. The large surface area of the ears allows for an increased number of sensory receptors, making the bat-eared fox’s hearing highly sensitive. This adaptation is beneficial for locating prey, such as insects, in the dark.

 

Forrest was born in late December 2018 to two of our Bat-eared Foxes, Firefox and Diggory.  Though reared by Firefox, Diggory and his grandmother Janet, he became acquainted with humans as soon as he started coming out of the burrow.  The staff decided to name him Forrest after the film character Forrest Gump.  Forrest has a lot of curiosity about his surroundings and enjoys playing with a variety of toys.   

The diet of bat-eared foxes is largely insectivorous, consisting mainly of termites. They use their keen sense of hearing and specialized teeth to locate and consume large quantities of insects. They have numerous small, pointed teeth that are well-suited for crushing the exoskeletons of insects.

 

At only a few weeks of age, Kubwa was found orphaned nearby the Cape Farms area and taken to a local vet clinic.  Since he required hand-rearing, Cheetah Outreach offered to provide a permanent home for him.  After several supervised sessions with our existing bat-eared fox family, we managed to integrate him, allowing him to spend time with them for much-needed social  interaction with his own species.  Being hand-raised, Kubwa also enjoys the company of humans and loves his walks on harness.

Bat-eared foxes communicate using a variety of vocalizations, including barks, growls, and whimpers. These vocalizations play a role in social interactions, territorial signaling, and communication within family groups.