Common Name : Striped ground squirrel
Scientific name : Xerus erythropus
Family : Sciuridae
Native to : Africa
Interesting fact : They make loud bi-jo and bi-joo sounds.
Conservation status : Least Concern
They live in open woodlands, grasslands, or rocky country, in burrows. Their diet is roots, seeds, fruits, pods, grains, insects, small vertebrates and birds’ eggs. The xerus does not have a specific breeding period, and gives birth to 1-3 babies per litter after a gestation period of 48 days. They live in colonies similar to North American prairie dogs, and have similar behaviour.
