Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)

The bat-eared fox is a small, highly specialized canid instantly recognized by its extraordinary, oversized ears that measure up to five inches long. Sporting an ashy-grey coat, black limbs, and a distinct raccoon-like facial mask, this unique mammal has largely abandoned hunting vertebrates in favor of an insectivorous diet consisting mostly of harvester termites. It relies on its incredible acoustic hearing to detect the faint chewing sounds of insects moving completely underground. Armed with up to 50 specialized teeth, more than almost any other non-marsupial mammal, the bat-eared fox plays a vital ecological role in controlling local insect populations while living in tight-knit, monogamous family groups.