Least ConcernRock Hyrax
Procavia capensis
One of the 13 squirrels on WAnimals
Mammals · Rodentia · Sciuridae
Xerus inauris
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
The South African ground squirrel is a social rodent of the arid plains of southern Africa. It does not climb trees: it lives in colonies that dig shared burrow systems, often with meerkats and yellow mongooses as neighbours. It feeds on bulbs, roots, seeds and some insects. Its most recognisable habit is the use of its bushy tail as a parasol: it spreads it over its back and head to shade itself while foraging under the Kalahari sun.
Weight
400 g – 1 kg
Size
20 cm – 29 cm
Life expectancy
11 years
Diet
Herbivore
Feeds mainly on plants.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Colony
Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.
Sources consulted: Wikipedia (es): Xerus inauris
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 10 of 18.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with South African Ground Squirrel — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Based on what we already know about south african ground squirrel.
The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.
