| Unstriped ground squirrel | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Tribe: | Xerini |
| Genus: | Xerus Hemprich &Ehrenberg, 1833 |
| Species: | X. rutilus |
| Binomial name | |
| Xerus rutilus (Cretzschmar, 1828) | |
Theunstriped ground squirrel (Xerus rutilus) is a species ofrodent (order Rodentia) in the familySciuridae. It is the only member of thegenusXerus. It is found inDjibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Somalia,Sudan,Tanzania, andUganda. Its naturalhabitats are drysavanna and subtropical or tropical dryshrubland.
The unstriped ground squirrel is brownish or tawny in color with a lighter colored front. As the name suggests theX. rutilus differs from other species ofAfrican ground squirrel by not havingdorsal-running longitudinal white stripes. The eye is ringed with white hair (all hair being coarse in observed specimens). Their small head and body measure on average 225.8 millimetres (8.89 in) long with an average tail length of 172 mm (6.8 in). This tail is flat in appearance. Body weight varies across studies and habitats and ranges from 257.7 to 420 grams (9.09 to 14.82 oz).[2][3] The length of the hind foot is 35–49 mm with a braincase measuring only 24–25 mm. The length of the mandible is variable in the range of 31.0 to 33.9 mm.[3][4]
Xerus rutilus is a member of the Xerini tribe, but differs from its sister groupXerus daamsi. Both are separate and distinct from the North African equivalentAtlantoxerus.[5]Vibrissae (whiskers) length and brain size are both smaller than arborealsquirrels of the region, but are similar to otherterrestrial squirrels.[3]
No significantsexual dimorphism is noted inX. rutilus.
InTigrinya language:ምጹጽላይ orጨጨራ (mitsutsilay, chechera).[6]
InTurkana:[ekuɲuk], borrowed further inDaasanach:[ɲékuɲug][7]
The unstriped ground squirrel is endemic to Ethiopia,[6] Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Djibouti, Eritrea and Uganda and probably extant in Somalia.[1] Its naturalhabitats include dry (arid) savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.Populations occupy many overlapping regions with its sister group, theAfrican striped ground squirrel (Euxerus erythropus), in northeastern Africa.[8]X. rutilus dig and occupyburrows in generally arid conditions.[3]
The unstriped ground squirrels demonstratediurnality with an omnivorous diet consisting of leaves, tree fruits (Adansonia digital), seeds (Commiphora and Acacia trees), other plant materials, and insects.[3] Studies show thatX. rutilus is unaffected by poisonous tannins and to some degree eats oxalic-containing foods.X. rutilus has been shown to be uniquely efficient in its capacity toforage for food. This ability is not diminished across a variety of different environments, including those with a poor to moderate food supply.[9]
X. rutilus are mainlysolitary. They live in burrow systems with one or two adults with overlapping home areas. In times of danger unstriped ground squirrel may dive into a foreign burrow for safety. Unstriped ground squirrels permit non-resident squirrels to enter their burrows, including those of other species (E. erythropus).[3] They spend most of their waking hours outside their burrows, but utilize them for sleep and shelter from the elements. They move around quite often during the day, but remainsedentary.[10][11]
Although notterritorial, adominance hierarchy exists with male squirrels beingdominant over females and younger squirrels.X. rutilus demonstrate dominance viavocalization, tail displays, and physical lunges.[3][10][11]
Unstriped ground squirrels generally reside in hotarid conditions and compensate by exhibiting behavioralthermoregulation. After periods of foraging in hot areas, they retreat to the shade and lie down on the shaded ground to cool off.[3][10][11]
