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Male |
Female |
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| Mass (adult) | 511 - 1022 g |
511 - 795 g |
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| Shoulder height | ± 45 cm |
± 45 cm |
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| Life expectancy | ± 15 years |
± 15 years |
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| Identification | |
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It has characteristic white stripes on each side, which runs from the shoulder to thigh. Hair on the upper parts is cinnamon-brown while the underparts are lighter in colour. The fan tail is bushy, white and brown and is sometimes spread over the back for shade. The male is slightly smaller than the female. |
| Habitat | |
The Squirrel is a savannah species
preferring scrub areas with patches of grass. It avoids dense bush
or open grass plains and grazes at night in open areas. Sufficient
edible grass and dense shrub for shelter are important requirements.
It is independent of water. |
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| Habits | |
| Ground Squirrels live in colonies of five to 30 individuals, which excavate their own extensive burrows. It is mainly nocturnal, but may graze in the mornings on cool, overcast days. It is sensitive to cold weather, scarce on cold nights and if it rains it remains in its shelter. It rests during the day beneath a shrub with some grass close by. It lies down with its ears flat and the head placed close to the body and leaps up when danger is very near. It runs with a swerving and turning movement and is usually solitary but in mating season one or mare males keep close to a female. | |
| Food | |
| They feed on a variety of plants but will also eat termites on occasion. It prefers green grass and rhizomes. It gets enough moisture from food. | |
| Vocalisation | |
| Normally silent. A loud scream when handled. | |
| Breeding | |
| 1 to 3 young are born anytime during the year (may peak in September to February) after a gestation period of ± 5 weeks. The young only leave the burrow when about 6 weeks old. | |