These animals, known as Xerus in scientific terms Xerus erythropus, belong to the family Sciuridae and phylum Chordate, class Mammalia.
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Facts about the Ground Squirrels
The African ground squirrel uses its thin tail as shade from the sun.
Ground squirrels live in open areas, particularly in forests, deserts, or grasslands. They make their homes in rocky areas, including mountains.
Their daily habits allow them to explore a lot of the area they inhabit for food.
Due to their constant activity and movement, ground squirrels spend a lot of time foraging for food.
Ground squirrels are social animals like lions and dolphins.
They live in interconnected family groups. Ground squirrels living in dry areas in some African countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa are particularly known for this behavior.
One distinctive behavior of this animal is using its tail as an umbrella to protect itself from the harsh sun.
Head squirrel- Striped ground squirrel- Mountain ground squirrel- Unstriped ground squirrel
The Ground Squirrels specification
The fur: Ground squirrels are characterized by their fur covering their bodies from head to toe, usually light brown. Some may have reddish-gray or yellowish-gray fur.
They have a white stripe extending on both sides and shoulders, usually with a flat tail that is darker than the body fur.
The height: The height of a ground squirrel can range between 17 and 18 inches, excluding the tail which is about 7.5 to 10.2 inches long.
The weight: These squirrels weigh around 14 ounces and use their tails for protection from the scorching heat.
Feet: Ground squirrels have feet with relatively less hair compared to the rest of their bodies. The foot pads have minimal hair or are hairless, with some hair on the foot itself.
The noses, eyes: Ground squirrels have long, pointed noses, large eyes on the sides of their heads.
Ears, claws: small ears, long curved claws, but these claws do not allow them to climb trees.
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Ground squirrel habitat map:Where are ground squirrels found
Ground squirrels prefer open habitats, open forests, savannas, semi-arid regions.
They can be found in Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon.
They are also found in Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda.
What do ground squirrels eat
Ground squirrels are active during the day, especially in the morning and afternoon.
They are herbivores and primarily feed on leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, fruits, and nuts.
In addition to plant-based foods, ground squirrels also include insects, especially termites, small vertebrates, and bird eggs in their diet.
Ground squirrels store their food in a scattered manner, burying it away from the entrances of their burrows.
In some regions, ground squirrels are considered pests that can damage crops such as corn and others.
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Reproduction Stages of Ground Squirrels
The mating season for ground squirrels begins in spring when the cold starts to fade and food becomes abundant again
Female ground squirrels usually have 3 or 4 litters per year.
The gestation period is approximately 71 days, and ground squirrels reach sexual maturity at around 12 months.
The female prepares for birth by leaving the group and only returning once her offspring are weaned.
The rest of the group helps the mother in caring for and protecting the young from predators such as animals, birds, and large snakes.
FAQs about Ground squirrels
How do ground squirrels communicate with each other?
Ground squirrels are highly intelligent rodents that use various sounds to communicate with other squirrels. In addition to vocalizations, these animals also use their tails to signal each other.
- How long do ground squirrels live?
Ground squirrels typically live for 2 to 6 years in their natural wild habitats.
Are ground squirrels the same as prairie dogs?
No, a ground squirrel is not the same as a prairie dog. Prairie dogs are a group of five burrowing, colony-forming species within the squirrel family. While they resemble ground squirrels, prairie dogs lack fluffy tails and have distinct coloring differences.
Are ground squirrels the same thing as chipmunks?
Groundhogs have long bodies, short legs, and long claws, whereas ground squirrels have shorter limbs adapted for digging. Tree squirrels, in contrast, have longer limbs suited for climbing. All ground squirrels are capable of standing on their hind legs.
- What is another name for a ground squirrel?
Ground squirrels are also known as gophers, striped gophers, leopard ground squirrels, and squinneys, particularly in the Midwest.
- Are ground squirrels intelligent?
Ground squirrels are intelligent animals, with squirrels ranking highly for their cognitive abilities. Their quickness and intelligence often give them an advantage over predators and larger animals.
In conclusion, it is important to highlight the significance of this animal in maintaining ecological balance.
Ground squirrels play a role in controlling the growth of various plants and grasses.
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