Found in the African savannah, the bat-eared fox is known for its distinctly large ears. These ears help distribute heat across their bodies and also help them locate prey. It is a relatively small mammal, growing about 80 centimetres (32 inches) long and weighing 3-4.5 kilograms (6-10 pounds). All foxes are considered canids—the family of dogs—and the bat-eared fox is the only truly insectivorous canid, meaning it eats bugs instead of meat.
To stay cool, these foxes often dig dens or lie down under trees. To hunt, they often form groups with other foxes, and they locate their prey primarily through sound. They are social rather than territorial animals, and they are typically monogamous in their mating habits, which is uncommon for mammals outside of primates.
Shoebill
The shoebill is a bird in the order Pelecaniformes (alongside pelicans, herons, and other water birds) known for its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. It can reach up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall. Its abnormally large feet help it stand on aquatic vegetation while hunting, and its large wings are well-adapted for soaring. Their bill is 20-25 centimetres (8-12 inches) long and 10-13 centimetres (4-5 inches) wide. They also have eyes ringed with bright yellow.
Their massive bill has a few different uses. For one, they engage in displays of bill-clattering as a means of communication, and they are also known to make moos, croaks, and whining noises, though they are mostly silent. Secondly, their bill’s size allows them to hunt much larger fish than other birds.
Shoebills are also known to stay very still for long periods of time and move very slowly. They are also quite sensitive to humans and may abandon their nests if humans disturb them. The shoebill is classed as vulnerable by the IUCN, with its primary threats being habitat degradation, hunting, disturbance, and capture for the bird trade.