Ground Squirrel

Afrikaans name: Waaierstertgrondeekhoring

Ground Squirrels have a white stripe on their sides

Photo © Steven Herbert

Xerus inauris

Interesting facts about Ground Squirrels

The Ground Squirrel, also known as the Cape or South African Ground Squirrel, is found in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

Males are slightly bigger than females but the difference is not obvious. Interestingly they have a black skin. They weigh around 500 grams.

Ground Squirrels live in dry open habitats where they make their burrows. They are sociable creatures but they don't live in very large groups. The larger groups are typically all males. 2 to 3 females may form a group with their immature offspring.

They eat a variety of things including insects, bulbs and grass.

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References and further reading

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 112

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 86

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 298

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 86

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 63

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 161

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 156

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 16

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 21

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 27

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 110

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 420

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 32

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 38

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 198

List of South African Mammals