THE LONG-EARED FOX. 

 Otooyon megalotis, Desm. 



Somali name, Golleh waraba 



Description. — This beautiful little fox has a dark-grey appear- 

 ance. The underfur in the dorsal region is mummy-brown with 

 the basal part slate-white, while the terminal portion of the longer 

 hairs is black with a white band through the middle of it, giving 

 the whole a general grey colour. On the flanks the underfur 

 fades into buff ; the throat and belly being of the same colour. 

 The chin, fore and hind feet are black, while the forehead is light 

 grey. The ears are very long, brown at base and black towards 

 the tips. Tail generally very bushy, general colour buff brown 

 with the hairs along the top tipped with black right up to the tip 

 of the tail, which is quite black. 



Measurements. — The measurements of an adult male among 

 my specimens, are : 



Head and body 437 mm. 



Tail 285 „ 



Ear 120 „ 



Weight 6i lb. 



Distribution. — Found all over the internal plateau of Somali- 

 land from the Golis Range away into the Haud. 



Habits. — It is usually stated that the long-eared fox is only 

 seen singly or in pairs — this, curiously enough, has not been my 

 experience in Somaliland. I have more often seen them in small 

 packs than alone or in pairs. On one occasion near Upper Sheikh 

 I came upon at least ten out foraging together. The long-eared 

 fox is quite harmless and is easily tamed, making a delightful pet. 

 In their wild state one usually sees them smelling along the 

 ground digging here and there, for insects presumably. I have 

 never heard them make any noise. They are very common on 

 the Golis Range, but seem to get scarcer towards the Haud, where, 

 curiously enough, I have never seen more than three together. 

 The Somali name " Golleh waraba " means " possessor of a neck 

 like a hyaena." 



49 4 



