African striped ground squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped ground squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euxerus
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| Species: |
erythropus
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| Synonyms | |
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Xerus erythropus |
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The striped ground squirrel (Euxerus erythropus) is a type of squirrel that lives in Africa. Scientists first described this squirrel in 1803. There are six different kinds, called subspecies.
This squirrel is medium-sized. It has sandy-brown or dark-brown fur. A clear white stripe runs along its side. Its belly is whitish. Adult squirrels usually live alone or in pairs. They dig simple burrows to live in. They mostly look for food on the ground. They eat seeds, nuts, and roots. They also hide extra food under rocks.
This squirrel is common and found in many places. Experts say it's a "least concern" animal. This means it's not currently endangered.
About the Striped Ground Squirrel
Striped ground squirrels are medium-sized. They are about 22 to 29 centimeters (9 to 11 inches) long. Their tail is almost as long as their body. It measures about 19 to 26 centimeters (7 to 10 inches). Adult squirrels weigh between 0.5 and 1 kilogram (1 to 2 pounds).
They have short, stiff fur. Their fur is pale sandy to dark brown. Their underside is whitish and has little hair. A thin white stripe runs from their shoulders to their hips. Their tail has long hairs that fan out. These hairs are many colors, making the tail look grizzled.
Their ears are small. They have a long snout and a pointy nose. Their legs are pale. They have large feet with long, straight claws. Female striped ground squirrels have three pairs of teats. This helps tell them apart from similar squirrels.
Where They Live
Striped ground squirrels live across Africa. You can find them south of the Sahara Desert. They also live north of the tropical rainforests. They are found from the Atlantic coast in the west. In the east, they reach Ethiopia and Kenya. They do not live in the Horn of Africa.
They like open forests or disturbed areas. They also live in savannahs. You often see them near farms. In some places, they live in coastal scrubland or semidesert areas. Scientists have found old squirrel fossils in Ethiopia. These fossils are from millions of years ago.
There are six different types, or subspecies, of striped ground squirrels:
- Euxerus erythropus erythropus: Found in West Africa. This includes places like Mauritania and the Central African Republic. There is also a small group in Morocco.
- E. e. chadensis: Lives in eastern Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Also found in southern Chad and central western Sudan.
- E. e. lacustris: Found in northern Congo.
- E. e. leucombrinus: Lives in eastern Uganda, southeastern Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and northern Kenya.
- E. e. limitaneus: Found in southwestern Sudan. Also in nearby parts of Chad and the Central African Republic.
- E. e. microdon's: Lives in southern Kenya.
Life and Habits
Striped ground squirrels are active during the day. They are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They spend almost all their time on the ground. However, they can climb into bushes to find food. They eat many kinds of seeds, nuts, and roots. Sometimes, they can be a problem for farmers. They might eat crops like cassava, yams, cotton, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. Occasionally, they also eat eggs, insects, or other small animals.
Animals that hunt them include servals and jackals. Birds of prey also hunt them. Even snakes like the common puff adder are their predators.
These squirrels search for food over a large area. This area can be about 12 hectares (30 acres). Their hunting grounds often overlap with other squirrels. They use scent glands on their cheeks to mark their territory. They rub these glands on stones and tree trunks. But they don't seem to fight other squirrels who enter their area.
Squirrels sleep in burrows at night. They dig these burrows with their strong claws. Their burrows are usually simple. They have a main nest less than a meter (3 feet) deep. There is one entrance tunnel. They also dig a few tunnels that almost reach the surface. These are escape routes. The squirrel can quickly break through to get out. The main entrance is often blocked with dirt at night. Burrows might also have hidden food. But food is more often hidden under stones or leaves nearby. They bury their urine, but not their droppings.
Striped ground squirrels usually live alone or in pairs. When they meet other squirrels, they sniff each other nose-to-nose. They move by jumping. They often stop to sniff or look around. They make longer jumps when they need to move fast. They usually hold their tail flat when moving. When they stop, they hold it upright. If they get scared, they can fluff up their tail. This makes it look like a "bottle-brush." They can also make chattering sounds, like other squirrels.
When squirrels want to mate, they chase each other. A mother squirrel usually has two to six babies. In zoos, they can live for up to six years.
Conservation Status
The striped ground squirrel is a common animal. It lives in many different places. It can adapt to different environments. Experts have not found any major threats to this species. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" animal. This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
