NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



pointed muzzle, big bushy tail, and large ears. Its 

 colour is fawny-yellow with a silvery appearance 

 on the back. The tail has a reddish tinge and is 

 black at the tip. 



DELALANDE'S FOX 



{Otocyon megalotis) 



Also known as the Cape Fennec ; Desert Fox ; Balcoor 

 or Basin-eared Jackal ; and by the Bechuanas as the 

 Motlose 



Delalande's Fox inhabits the western parts of 

 South Africa, and extends through Central Africa 

 as far as Somaliland. It is not apparently confined 

 entirely to the dry western parts of the country, for 

 it is known to occur in the eastern portion of the 

 Transvaal. Numbers of specimens have been pro- 

 cured from Griqualand West. 



It is an inhabitant of the dry, open country, and is 

 met with either singly or in pairs. 



In the wild state its food consists of rats, mice, 

 locusts, termites, and other insects, supplemented 

 by the eggs and young of ground birds and berries, 

 fruits and bulbs. 



In captivity it is omnivorous, eating freely of 

 fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, bread and milk, &c. 



When captured young this fox can easily be tamed, 

 and will follow its owner about like a dog. A friend 



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