Its underparts are buff to white. African ground squirrels ( genus Xerus) form a taxon of squirrels under the subfamily Xerinae. As a whole, they are omnivorous, which means that they eat both plants and small animals. The largest squirrel is the Indian giant that will grow to 1 meter (36 in.) They are only found in Africa. Alligators can regrow severed tails, surprising scientists. During spring young ground squirrels female squirrels get up rather frequently as compared to males. Xerus species live in Africa. The name Cape ground squirrel is somewhat misleading as it actually has a much wider area of habitation. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Tree squirrels may be seen on the ground or in trees. Smith’s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), otherwise known as the Yellow-footed Squirrel or in South Africa simply as the Tree Squirrel is found in Central Africa, Eastern Africa and the northern regions of Southern Africa. The Xerus has four subspecies – cape ground squirrel, striped ground squirrel, mountain ground squirrel, and unstriped ground squirrel. Many ground squirrels prefer to mate in the underground burrows just to avoid predators. The African pygmy squirrel, for example, is usually 2.7-4 inches (7-10 cm) long. Baboon Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia. They are generally omnivorous. They build nests called drey. These animals are diurnal and are usually known to be herbivores in nature and usually eat nuts, roots, and seeds. In South Africa, they can be found in central and north-central areas. They possess powerful short forelimbs along with sharp claws that are adapted to make underground burrows. The Cape ground squirrel or South African ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is found in most of the drier parts of southern Africa from South Africa, through to Botswana, and into Namibia, including Etosha National Park.. There is another African ground squirrel of the genus Atlantoxerus, the Atlantoxerus getulus present in southwestern Morocco and northern Western Sahara. Animals. Female squirrels are thought to mate minutes after they wake up from hibernation. The ground squirrel pups are born naked and they remain in 21 – 35 days. California Ground Squirrel. 5 Amazing Xerus Facts …and the four species of African ground squirrels (genus Xerus) inhabit savannas and rocky deserts in northern, eastern, and southern Africa. The Arctic ground squirrel is an omnivore. The African pygmy squirrel is the smallest and is only 7-13 cm (2.8-5 in.) Upper parts are cinnamon coloured with a lateral white stripe on either side of the body. When startled they will quickly make their way up a tree until danger has passed. However in cold arctic climates squirrels won’t be able to build such burrows. Amazing Facts About the Squirrel There are over 265 species of squirrel worldwide. Ground squirrels have got tail that makes up one third the length of the body. 2. In spring they typically eat seeds because it enhances the male’s ability to compete. They are extremely varied in sizes with largest ground squirrel is nearly 100 times heavier than the smallest squirrel. However, sometimes they also eat eggs and other small animals. Squirrels of the deserts have got the remarkable ability to survive not only the heat of summer but also the cold winds of winter. Others, like the pygmy squirrel of Sulawesi (Prosciurillus murinus), travel and forage at intermediate levels between ground and canopy. The African pygmy squirrel’s tend to stay low in the forest while still keeping off of the ground floor away from predators. Like their North American cousins the marmots and prairie … Instead, it has the opposite problem: too much heat and sun. Some species have dark and light stripes that run along the body while others show up small light spots with unique contrasting patches. The hoary marmot is thought to form large groups that may have as many as 35 individuals. Ground squirrels are excellent climbers. They are not neither present in Southeast Asia nor in South America. African squirrels and antelope squirrels are thought to show a single white stripe on their bodies. These can be found in Africa and S Asia. The hibernation period lasts about 18 – 19 days in midwinter but after 5 – 6 days they wake up to normalize their body temperature. It is invasive in the Canary Islands since an introduction in 1971. 2. Squirrels often stand on their hind feet to look out any potential danger and if they see one all of them give alarm calls. It grows to 36 inches (1 meter) long and weighs up to 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms).Grey squirrels, commonly found in North America, are medium-size squirrels… Ground-dwelling squirrels will avoid dense forests or shrubs insofar as they can but chipmunks like closed forests. A female gives birth to 4 – 9 pups on average but the litter size usually depends on the species. The smallest squirrel in the world: The African pygmy squirrel. Sometimes they climb shrubs to search food. Completion of the Xerus is conditional to securing financing. Ground squirrels are not only diurnal but are extremely conspicuous animals. Diet of the Ground Squirrel Diet changes based on the species and where the squirrel lives. They attain maturity at 2 – 3 years age. The name Cape ground squirrel is somewhat misleading as it actually has a much wider area of habitation. Ground squirrels of North America are thought to spend much of their lives in solitary burrows that is why they are rarely seen. 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