Striped ground squirrel [1] ( lat. Xerus erythropus ) is a rodent of the genus African ground squirrel ( Xerus ).
| Striped Ground Squirrel | ||||||||||||||
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| Xerus erythropus ( Desmarest , 1817) |
Security status IUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 23144 |
The species is widespread in Africa, Morocco, to Kenya and Uganda. It lives in forests, most often in the secondary, savannahs, mangroves and bush at an altitude of up to 2450 m above sea level.
Body length from 22 to 29 cm, tail length from 18 to 27 cm, body weight from 500 to 1000 grams. The fur is very smooth, stiff, without undercoat. The color of the fur is sandy brown on top and whitish-gray underneath. On both sides there is one short white stripe. The tail is gray-brown, fluffy. The muzzle is elongated and flat. Strong legs have long digging claws.
Usually digs its hole up to two meters long with many branches, but can use termite mounds or natural depressions between rocks or indentations under the roots of trees. Active during the day. It feeds on plant roots, fallen fruits, seeds, nuts, acacia pods and animal food.
Mating takes place in March-April. The gestation period lasts about 4 weeks. The female gives birth to 3-4 cubs.
Notes
- ↑ Sokolov V.E. The pagan dictionary of animal names. Mammals Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / edited by Acad. V. E. Sokolova. - M .: Rus. lang., 1984. - S. 145. - 10,000 copies.
Literature
- Das große Weltreich der Tiere Verlag: Planet Media AG, Zug 1992 Seite: 160, 161 ISBN 3-8247-8614-1
- Tierwelt Afrika in Farbe Verlag: Müller, 1989, Seite: 30
- Enzyklopädie der Säugetiere Verlag: Weltbild, Augsburg 1999 Seite: 214 ISBN 3-8289-1556-6
- Enzyklopädie der Säugetiere Verlag: Könnemann 2003 Seite: 601 ISBN 3-89731-928-4