Why is this animal unusual?
It has more teeth than any other dog, fox or wolf – up to 50 – and can chew at incredible speed, several bites a second, which is ideal for crunching thousands of tiny insects.
Why does it look like that?
The ears are about 5 in (13 cm) long. They work as both microphones and radiators, helping the fox lose heat in the African sun.
Strangest biological feature
Hearing sharp enough to locate insects under the soil.
Why is it strange?
In this family, dad is the babysitter. Males do most of the guarding, grooming and carrying of the pups while the mother is out eating.
Interesting behavioral facts
Bat-eared foxes walk slowly with their ears pointed at the ground, like someone using a metal detector. They often follow herds of zebra and antelope – because where there’s dung, there are dung beetles.
Records held
One fox can eat over a million termites a year.
