Why do some animals have large ears?

Animals with large ears, such as elephants and fennec foxes, use them for a variety of purposes, including thermoregulation and improved hearing. In warm climates, large ears help regulate body temperature by releasing excess heat through the large surface area of the ears. For example, elephants’ ears are rich in blood vessels, and when they flap them, the air circulates through the blood, cooling it. Additionally, large ears improve hearing by amplifying sound waves, which is especially useful for animals that rely on keen hearing to detect predators or prey.