Playtime in the Kalahari
Photographer Peet van Schalkwyk was out in South Africa’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park when he stumbled across a scene guaranteed to melt hearts, a family of bat eared foxes with a litter of pups who had clearly decided it was time to burn off some energy. While mom kept a watchful eye nearby, the pups tore around the den site in every direction at once, seemingly powered by an endless supply of enthusiasm.
There was chasing, there was pouncing, there was the occasional playful nip that sent a sibling tumbling sideways into the sand. If it looked exhausting to watch, that’s because it probably was, though the pups themselves showed no signs of slowing down.
Zoomies With a Purpose
Every few minutes, in the middle of all the running and wrestling, one pup or another would suddenly break off and dash back to mom, pressing close for a quick check in before racing right back to rejoin the fray. It’s a pattern familiar to anyone who has watched young animals at play, that need to reconnect with a parent before diving back into the action.
Peet’s footage captured the pups in full flight, ears flopping, legs a blur, moving with the kind of frantic energy that makes them look like they’re being chased even when they’re not. It’s easy to see why this kind of footage draws comparisons to a certain blue video game hedgehog.
Follow the Cuteness
If heartwarming sightings like this one are your kind of thing, our Whatsapp Updates Group is the perfect place to keep up with the latest viral wildlife moments and best sightings coming out of the park. Follow the link below to join!
Meet the Bat Eared Fox
Bat eared foxes don’t get nearly as much attention as some of the bush’s bigger stars, but they’re one of the more fascinating characters of the arid regions of southern and eastern Africa. Named for their oversized ears, which can grow up to 13 centimetres long, these small foxes use their hearing almost like a superpower, tuning in to the sound of insects moving underground.
Unlike most canids, bat eared foxes are largely insectivorous, with harvester termites making up a huge portion of their diet. Their ears are so sensitive they can detect the faint scratching of termites or beetle larvae several centimetres below the surface, allowing them to dig up a meal with pinpoint accuracy.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
They’re highly social animals, often living in small family groups, and pairs frequently raise their pups together with a level of shared parental care that’s fairly unusual among wild canids. Litters can range from two to six pups, and playtime like the kind Peet captured plays a big role in building the coordination and social bonds pups will rely on for life.
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way
Watching a litter of pups zoom around with reckless abandon is a good reminder that play isn’t just entertainment for young animals, it’s how they build the skills, speed, and social bonds they’ll need as adults. Even in a landscape as harsh and dry as the Kalahari, there’s always room for a good chase.
