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Cape ground squirrels benefit their environment when they create burrows because meerkats (Suricata suricatta) and yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillata) use them as protection from predation and to regulate body temperature. Cape ground squirrels also increase visibility when they remove plants from the surface while they eat. Cape ground squirrels have a mutualistic relationship with meerkats. Meerkat alarm calls warn squirrels of potential danger from predators. In turn, Cape ground squirrels provide burrows. A wide variety of parasites are known from Cape ground squirrels.
Ecosystem Impact: creates habitat
Mutualist Species:
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Cape ground squirrels communicate with one another vocally. Alarm calls are used to warn each other of a threat. When the threat is extreme, squirrels let out a high pitched shrill. If the threat is less intense, a medium pitch is used. Young squirrels use chirping calls during play. Young squirrels also use squeaks to advertise their disapproval when their mother handles them. During daily interactions, ground squirrels use growls to communicate. Like most other mammals, it is likely that they use olfaction extensively in communication as well.
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
According to the IUCN Red List, this species has maintained a steady population trend with no specific threats.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Cape ground squirrels carry rabies and occasionally damage crops.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); crop pest; causes or carries domestic animal disease
Cape ground squirrels are interesting and important members of native ecosystems.
Cape ground squirrels eat bulbs, grasses, herbs, insects, seeds, and shrubs.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts
Primary Diet: omnivore
Cape ground squirrels are found in regions ranging from southern Africa in Namibia and Botwsana to South Africa.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Cape ground squirrels live in tropical regions. They prefer dry environments, such as savannas and grasslands. They are also found in the Kalahari Desert, which has an elevation of 600 to 1200 m. Cape ground squirrels live in burrows, which protect them from extreme weather conditions as well as from predation. They do not hibernate.
Range elevation: 600 to 1200 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland
Little is known about the lifespan of this species in the wild. However, the longest lifespan found in captivity is 11.5 years.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.5 (high) years.
Cape ground squirrels have coarse, short hair. The color of the skin is black. On the back of the body, individuals vary between dark and light shades of a reddish brown. The underbody, limbs, neck, and face are white. They have small ears. A defining characteristic is the extended white tail that is almost as large as the body. Females and males are dimorphic, differing in length and mass. Adult males average 452 to 476 mm, while females are around 435 to 446 mm in length. The mass of males is 423 to 649 g and females are 444 to 600 g. Average mass is 528.5 g. Basal metabolic rate has been calculated at 1.7750 W.
Range mass: 423 to 649 g.
Average mass: 528.5 g.
Range length: 435 to 476 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger
Known predators of Xerus inauris are black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas). Belton et. al (2007) found that Cape ground squirrels took longer to come out of their burrow when black-backed jackals feces was present. Once out of the burrow, squirrels investigated the feces and searched the area for the predator with extreme caution. This confirms that Cape ground squirrels use olfactory cues to detect predators. Puff adders (Bitis arietans) and monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) are also known predators of Cape ground squirrels. Their social living, cryptical coloration, and vigilance help to protect them from predation.
When a predator approaches, a male and female squirrel will “mob” attack the predator. This “mobbing” involves putting their tails between their own bodies and the predator’s body. This is only a defense, because if the predator attacks, Cape ground squirrels will flee.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Cape ground squirrels mate throughout the year and are promiscuous. Both males and females mate with multiple partners. When females become receptive, interactions with males occur immediately after leaving the burrow in the morning. Females are in estrous multiple times a year. Estrous does not occur at regular intervals, instead, spontaneous ovulation is thought to occur. Males search for females in estrous and copulate right away or chase females into burrows and mate there. Researchers found that mating took place both above and below ground. Waterman (1998) also found that the minimum time needed to ejaculate was 25 seconds. Dominant males have more mates and gain priority access in mating order. Male to male competition occurs, yet no injuries have been reported. Researchers concluded that aggressive fighting is too costly because a male would be unable to mate if injured. Instead, males approach each other side to side and use a non-aggressive leaping display in which the backs are arched and heads are facing each other. Males must use competitive searching to find females in estrous. Since dominant males have more experience, they find females first. Males also constantly disrupt mating in order to mate with the particular female that they have not mated with yet. When this happens, the disrupted male returns later to finish mating with the same female. Even though mating disruptions happen frequently, males rarely guard their mate.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Breeding takes place all year long with a peak in the winter. Cape ground squirrels live in social groups with around 3 or 4 females. However, only one female is in estrous at a time. Once a female mates with a male, there is an average of a 48 day gestation period that ranges from 42 to 49 days. Females have a litter of 1 to 3 pups that are altricial; they are blind and naked when they are born. Pups come out of the burrow at the age of 45 days. Females nurse the young for an average of 52 days, so the pups eat solid food approximately 7 days after leaving the burrow. At the age of 153 days, the pups have reached adult size of 570 g. Pups do not reach sexual maturity until 8 months for males and 10 months for females. Once males reach sexual maturity, they disperse from the burrow, while females remain in the social group.
Breeding interval: Cape ground squirrels breed year around, with a peak in the winter.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs throughou the year. Only one female is in estrous at a time in a social group.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 3.
Range gestation period: 42 to 49 days.
Average gestation period: 48 days.
Average weaning age: 52 days.
Average time to independence: 153 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 8 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Cape ground squirrels offspring are atricial at birth and need parental care until they are independent. Females protect their offspring in the burrows. Once pups are 45 days of age, they can leave the burrows. Females provide food for their young through nursing until pups are 52 days old. After 52 days, pups leave the burrow to forage on their own. Pups reach full adult size at 153 days. Once males reach sexual maturity at 10 months, they no longer associate with the social group. Once females reach sexual maturity at 8 months, they stay with the social group and continue to associate with the mother. Males are found to have no involvement in parental care.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents
Die grondeekhoring of Kaapse grondeekhoring (Xerus inauris) (soms verkeerdelik 'n waaierstertmeerkat genoem - dis glad nie 'n meerkat nie - en voorheen ook waaiersterteekhoring genoem) kom in die droë streke van Suider-Afrika voor. Hulle lewe in gate in die grond wat hulle self grawe en wat gemiddeld 700 vierkante meter beslaan en 2 tot 100 ingange kan hê. Hulle deel hulle gate dikwels met stokstertmeerkatte en witkwasmuishonde.
Hulle vreet hoofsaaklik plante en sade en sal ook wortels en bolle onder die grond uitgrawe. Hulle drink nie water nie en kry al hulle vog uit hulle voedsel. Volwasse grondeekhorings het 'n gemiddelde lengte van 45 cm, met die mannetjies effens langer (424–476 mm) en swaarder (423–649 g) as die wyfies (435–446 mm en 444–600 g). Hulle lewe in groepe van 2-3 volwasse wyfies en 'n maksimum van nege onvolwassenes van albei geslagte asook die wyfies se afhanklike nageslag. Een tot drie kleintjies word gebore. So 'n groep beset gewoonlik 'n gebied van sowat 4 hektaar. Groepe met meer as drie wyfies verdeel in kleiner groepe. Volwasse mannetjies leef afsondelik en kom net by die wyfies as dié op hitte is. Mannetjies kan as tot soveel as 19 onverwante individue saamleef en grootte en lede van die groepe verander gedurig. Grondeekhorings het 'n moontlike lewensduur van tot 15 jaar.
Wikimedia Commons het meer media in die kategorie Waaierstertmeerkat.
Wikispecies het meer inligting verwant aan: Waaierstertmeerkat
Die grondeekhoring of Kaapse grondeekhoring (Xerus inauris) (soms verkeerdelik 'n waaierstertmeerkat genoem - dis glad nie 'n meerkat nie - en voorheen ook waaiersterteekhoring genoem) kom in die droë streke van Suider-Afrika voor. Hulle lewe in gate in die grond wat hulle self grawe en wat gemiddeld 700 vierkante meter beslaan en 2 tot 100 ingange kan hê. Hulle deel hulle gate dikwels met stokstertmeerkatte en witkwasmuishonde.
Hulle vreet hoofsaaklik plante en sade en sal ook wortels en bolle onder die grond uitgrawe. Hulle drink nie water nie en kry al hulle vog uit hulle voedsel. Volwasse grondeekhorings het 'n gemiddelde lengte van 45 cm, met die mannetjies effens langer (424–476 mm) en swaarder (423–649 g) as die wyfies (435–446 mm en 444–600 g). Hulle lewe in groepe van 2-3 volwasse wyfies en 'n maksimum van nege onvolwassenes van albei geslagte asook die wyfies se afhanklike nageslag. Een tot drie kleintjies word gebore. So 'n groep beset gewoonlik 'n gebied van sowat 4 hektaar. Groepe met meer as drie wyfies verdeel in kleiner groepe. Volwasse mannetjies leef afsondelik en kom net by die wyfies as dié op hitte is. Mannetjies kan as tot soveel as 19 onverwante individue saamleef en grootte en lede van die groepe verander gedurig. Grondeekhorings het 'n moontlike lewensduur van tot 15 jaar.
L'esquirol terrestre del Cap (Xerus inauris) és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels esciúrids. Viu a Botswana, Lesotho, Namíbia i Sud-àfrica. Es tracta d'un animal diürn que forma colònies. El seu hàbitat natural és el terreny obert i àrid amb pocs arbustos i el substrat sòlid. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.[1]
L'esquirol terrestre del Cap (Xerus inauris) és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels esciúrids. Viu a Botswana, Lesotho, Namíbia i Sud-àfrica. Es tracta d'un animal diürn que forma colònies. El seu hàbitat natural és el terreny obert i àrid amb pocs arbustos i el substrat sòlid. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.
Veverka kapská (Xerus inauris) je drobný hlodavec obývající Jižní Afriku: Botswanu, Lesotho, Namibii a Zimbabwe, kde se vyskytuje ve vyprahlých savanách v tropickém nebo subtropickém podnebném pásu.
Veverka kapská je drobná veverka měřící zhruba 20-30 cm na délku s hmotností kolem 575 g. Má dlouhé hmatové vousky, válcovité tělo a silné zadní končetiny, které ji umožňují obratně a rychle skákat. Zbarvení, ale také velikost veverky kapské je rozlišné a liší se podle několika poddruhů. Svrchu je zbarvena většinou pískově žlutě, aby mohla splývat se svým biotopem, po stranách se táhne bílý pruh a břicho má bílé. Vyklenuté oči lemuje bílý proužek, čenich a konce končetin jsou rovněž bílé. Huňatý ocas, měřící obvykle kolem 18-26 cm, je zhruba stejně zbarvený jako vrchní strana těla, jenom konec je tmavý.
Veverky kapské žijí v několikačlenných skupinách, v kterých bývá obvykle 6 až 10, v některých případech až 30 členů. Jsou to velice bystrá a plachá zvířata a při hledání potravy, kterou se stávají obvykle semena, nejrůznější plody, kořeny, ale i hmyz nebo ptačí vejce, se několikrát staví na zadní končetiny, aby měla větší rozhled a pokud spatří jen nejmenší náznak nebezpečí (jejich hlavními predátory jsou mangusty žíhané (Mungos mungo) a šakali čabrakoví (Canis mesomelas)), ihned vydají poplašný signál a všichni členové skupiny bleskově zmizí v nedalekých norách. Tyto nory bývají poměrně rozsáhlé (mohou zabírat i území větší než 100 m2) a veverka kapská je dokáže díky svým ostrým drápům vyhloubit i v tvrdé, suché a kamenité zemi, která se povětšinou nachází v jejich biotopu. Slouží také jako úkryt před přímým a prudkým slunečním žárem, jelikož je v norách o něco nižší teplota než venku. Pokud však teplota nepřesáhne hranici zhruba 48 °C, využívají slunečního žáru ke slunění, které mají velice rády a při kterém svůj huňatý ocas používají jako slunečník. Velkou část vody velice potřebné k životu v těchto podmínkách získávají také ze své potravy.
Samice rodí po 46-78 denní březosti ve své noře 1-3 slepá a holá mláďata. Prvních několik dnů svého života tráví v norách, kam jim matka nosí potravu. Mezi 21. až 22. dnem života otevírají oči a již v osmi týdnech většinou opouštějí matku. Veverka kapská se v přírodě nedožívá obvykle více než 3 let, v zajetí se může výjimečně dožít až 15 let.
V posledních letech se stala veverka kapská oblíbenou atrakcí jak v zoologických zahradách, tak v domácí péči. V České republice je k vidění tento druh v Zoologické zahradě Praha, Plzeň, Olomouc a Dvůr Králové.
Obrázky, zvuky či videa k tématu veverka kapská ve Wikimedia Commons
Galerie veverka kapská ve Wikimedia CommonsVeverka kapská (Xerus inauris) je drobný hlodavec obývající Jižní Afriku: Botswanu, Lesotho, Namibii a Zimbabwe, kde se vyskytuje ve vyprahlých savanách v tropickém nebo subtropickém podnebném pásu.
Das Kap-Borstenhörnchen (Xerus inauris) ist eine Art der Afrikanischen Borstenhörnchen.
Das Fell ist wie bei allen Borstenhörnchen steif und borstig. Es ist größtenteils zimtbraun gefärbt, der Bauch, die Halsseiten, die Innenseiten der Beine und Teile des Gesichts sind weiß. Auf beiden Körperseiten erstreckt sich je ein horizontaler weißer Streifen von der Schulter bis zu den Hinterbeinen. Der Schwanz trägt an der Basis zwei schwarze Querbinden.
Die Kopf-Rumpf-Länge beträgt 23,5 bis 28,2 cm, hinzu kommen 19,4 bis 21,1 cm Schwanz. Männchen sind meistens geringfügig größer als Weibchen und erreichen ein um 10 % größeres Gewicht (bis 650 g).
Das Kap-Borstenhörnchen lebt in Wüsten und Halbwüsten auf den Territorien von Südafrika, Namibia, Botswana und Lesotho. Im Norden Namibias wird das Kap-Borstenhörnchen durch das Kaokoveld-Borstenhörnchen (Xerus princeps) abgelöst, die einzige Borstenhörnchen-Art, mit der das Kap-Borstenhörnchen sympatrisch lebt.
Der Lebensraum kann weitgehend vegetationslos, grasbewachsen oder strauchbestanden sein. Außentemperaturen von über 39 °C werden vertragen, ebenso Bodentemperaturen von bis zu 62 °C.
Kap-Borstenhörnchen sind tagaktiv. Sie leben in kleinen Kolonien in selbstgegrabenen Bauen, deren Tunnel ein Areal von 700 m² haben können und zwei bis hundert Eingänge haben. Kolonien bestehen entweder nur aus Weibchen und deren Nachwuchs, oder nur aus Männchen. Nur kurzzeitig suchen Männchen die Bausysteme der Weibchen auf, um die Begattung zu vollziehen. Ein Weibchenbau umfasst ein bis vier ausgewachsene Weibchen und deren Nachwuchs. Ein Männchenbau umfasst bis zu 19 Männchen, die nicht untereinander verwandt sind. Während Weibchenbaue in der Zusammensetzung fest sind, sind Männchenbaue lockere Verbände, zu denen ständig neue Individuen hinzustoßen, während andere abwandern.
Baue bieten Schutz vor extremen Außentemperaturen und vor Feinden. Mit einem Warnruf werden andere Mitglieder einer Gruppe vor einem Feind gewarnt. Sowohl Männchen als auch Weibchen teilen sich die Baue oft mit Erdmännchen und/oder Fuchsmangusten. Nahrung wird in den Bauen nicht gespeichert.
Die Tragzeit beträgt 42 bis 49 Tage. Ein Wurf besteht aus ein bis drei Jungen. Diese bleiben etwa 45 Tage im Bau und werden nur vom Weibchen versorgt. Die Jungen sind zunächst nackt und blind. Ab dem siebenten Lebenstag beginnt das Fell zu sprießen, und etwa am 35. Tag öffnen sich die Augen. Bald nach dem Verlassen des Baus werden die Jungen nicht mehr gesäugt und suchen sich die Nahrung selbst. Kap-Borstenhörnchen sind das ganze Jahr über fortpflanzungsbereit, ziehen aber selten mehr als einen Wurf pro Jahr auf.
Die Nahrung der Kap-Borstenhörnchen besteht aus Gräsern, Kräutern, Blättern, Wurzeln und Früchten, und manchmal ergänzend aus Insekten.
Das Kap-Borstenhörnchen wird von der Weltnaturschutzunion IUCN in der Roten Liste gefährdeter Arten als weit verbreitete Art, für die keine Bedrohungen bekannt sind, beurteilt und mit nicht gefährdet (Least Concern)[1] klassifiziert.
Das Kap-Borstenhörnchen (Xerus inauris) ist eine Art der Afrikanischen Borstenhörnchen.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje (Latynske namme: Xerus inauris) is in sûchdier út it skift fan 'e kjifdieren (Rodentia), de famylje fan 'e iikhoarntsjes (Sciuridae) en it skaai fan 'e Afrikaanske grûniikhoarntsjes (Xerus). Dêrbinnen foarmet dizze soarte mei it berchgrûniikhoarntsje (Xerus princepts) it ûnderskaai fan 'e Súdafrikaanske grûniikhoarntsjes (Geosciurus). It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje komt foar yn Súdlik Afrika, al ûntbrekt er, nettsjinsteande syn namme, yn it grutste part fan 'e Súdafrikaanske Kaapprovinsjes.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje komt foar yn in grut diel fan Súdlik Afrika, mei dêrûnder noardlik en sintraal Súd-Afrika, westlik Lesoto, súdwestlik en sintraal Botswana en hast hiel Namybje, útsein it uterste noarden en in smellige stripe by de kust lâns. Dêrmei beslacht it ferspriedingsgebiet fan dit bist de hiele Kalaharywoastyn. Hy ûntbrekt lykwols yn it grutste part fan 'e Súdafrikaanske Kaapprovinsjes, dat de namme is wat misliedend. Mooglik dat er sa neamd waard om him te ûnderskieden fan it grize iikhoarntsje (Sciurus carolinensis), in eksoat út Noard-Amearika, dy't yn 'e twadde helte fan 'e njoggentjinde iuw troch de Britske koloniaal Cecil Rhodes yn 'e krite om Kaapstêd hinne yntrodusearre waard.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje hat trochinoar in kop-romplingte fan 20-30 sm, mei in sturtlingte fan 18-26 sm en in gewicht fan 425-650 g. De pels bestiet út koarte, stive hierkes sûnder ûnderhier, en is bêzje-eftich op 'e rêch en witich op 'e snút, bealch en de binnenkant fan 'e poaten. Oer de fangen rint in wite streek fan 'e skouders oant de efterpoaten, en ek om 'e frij grutte eagen hinne sitte wite streken. De sturt is fan boppen en ûnderen ôfplatte, en soe beskreaun wurde kinne as in sydlingse plomsturt. Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes steane bekend om 'e grutte testikels fan 'e mantsjes, dy't sa'n 20% fan har kop-romplingte bedrage.
Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes libje benammen yn woastyngebieten en oare drûge biotopen, lykas steppes en greidlân mei in hurde ûndergrûn. Se wurde ek wol oantroffen yn strewelleguod dat sâltflakten omseamet en yn lânbougebieten.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje is ornaris deis warber en nachts yn rêst. Mei't er yn 'e woastyn libbet, is der fansels gjin sprake fan in wintersliep. Hy libbet yn in eigengroeven hoale dy't ûndergrûnsk yn ferbining stiet mei de hoalen fan soartgenoaten, sadat der in koloanje ûntstiet dy't wol 700 m² beslaan kin, mei wol 100 ferskillende yngongen. Sokke hoalen tsjinje net inkeld foar beskerming tsjin predaasje, mar ek tsjin ekstreme temperatueren. Bûtendoar beskaadzje Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes har kop faak mei har plomsturt.
Se libje yn groepen fan 2-3 wyfkes mei op syn heechsten njoggen jongen. Mantsjes geane har eigen wei sadree't se folwoeksen wurden binne, en foarmje dan har eigen groepen, dy't út wol 19 net mei-inoar besibbe eksimplaren bestean kinne. De territoaria fan groepen wyfkes beslane sa'n 4 ha, dy fan 'e groepen mantsjes sa'n 12 ha. By de wyfkes binne alle eksimplaren fan gelikense status, mar de mantsjes hâlde in lineêre hierargy oan dy't basearre is op âldens. Oan 'e oare kant binne de wyfkes tige territoriaal, wylst de mantsjes dat net binne en ûnbekende eksimplaren frij maklik ta de groep talitte. Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes bringe har aktive perioaden foar 70% troch mei foerazjearjen, foar 15-20% mei wach wêzen om eventuële rôfdieren yn 'e rekken te hâlden, en foar 10% mei sosjalisearjen.
Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes kinne har it hiele jier rûn fuortplantsje, al bart soks it meast yn 'e drûge wintermoannen. Djoeiske wyfkes wurde dêrby oanholden en neisitten troch ferskate mantsjes dy't mei har pearje wolle. De dominantste mantsjes meie dan it earst pearje, hoewol't minder dominante mantsjes dêrnei faak oan bar komme. Faak sil in wyfke trouwens mear as ien kear mei itselde mantsje pearje. Nei de pearing masturbearje de mantsjes faak, wat men beskôget as in ynstinktmjittige adaptaasje dy't har geslachtsdielen skjin hâldt en it risiko op seksueel oerdraachbere oandwanings ferminderet. Nei in draachtiid fan 42-49 dagen smyt it wyfkes in nêst fan 1-3 jongen, dy't keal en blyn te wrâld komme en de earste 45 dagen ûnder de grûn bliuwe. Mei 35 dagen geane de eachjes iepen en mei 50 dagen wurde se ôfwûn. De mantsjes binne mei 8 moanne geslachtsryp, en de wyfkes mei 10 moanne.
De hoalen fan Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes wurde ek brûkt troch stôksturtsjes en foksmangoesten. Wylst Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes mei de stôksturtsjes in relaasje hawwe kinne dêr't beide soarten baat by hawwe, libje grûniikhoarntsjes en mangoesten yn 'e regel mar wat byinoar lâns. De wichtichste natuerlike fijannen fan it Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje binne jakhalzen, ferskate soarten slangen, faranen en rôffûgels. As se in rôffûgel gewaar wurde, meitsje Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes har út 'e fuotten en lûke se har werom yn har hoalen. Mar as der gefaar driget fan slangen, drave se der just mei syn allen op ta om 'e fijân fuort te jeien.
Kaapske grûniikhoarntsjes libje fan bollen, fruchten, gerzen, krûden, twiichjes fan strewellen en ynsekten. Mei't se gjin itensfoarrieden oanlizze, is foerazjearjen foar har in deistige aktiviteit. Yn 'e regel hoege se net te drinken, om't se genôch focht binnenkrijen út har (plantaardige) fretten.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje hat de IUCN-status fan "net bedrige", mei't er yn syn ferspriedingsgebiet noch rûnom foarkomt en om't de populaasje stabyl liket te wêzen. Yn guon gebieten wurdt er bestriden as ûngedierte dat skealik is foar de lânbou. Hy komt lykwols ek foar djip yn 'e Kalaharywoastyn en yn beskerme gebieten, lykas it Transnasjonaal Park Kgalagadi, yn Botswana en Súd-Afrika, en it Nasjonaal Park Etosha yn Namybje, dêr't nimmen it Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje in striebree yn 'e wei leit.
It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje (Latynske namme: Xerus inauris) is in sûchdier út it skift fan 'e kjifdieren (Rodentia), de famylje fan 'e iikhoarntsjes (Sciuridae) en it skaai fan 'e Afrikaanske grûniikhoarntsjes (Xerus). Dêrbinnen foarmet dizze soarte mei it berchgrûniikhoarntsje (Xerus princepts) it ûnderskaai fan 'e Súdafrikaanske grûniikhoarntsjes (Geosciurus). It Kaapske grûniikhoarntsje komt foar yn Súdlik Afrika, al ûntbrekt er, nettsjinsteande syn namme, yn it grutste part fan 'e Súdafrikaanske Kaapprovinsjes.
The Cape ground squirrel or South African ground squirrel[1][2] (Geosciurus inauris)[3] is found in most of the drier parts of southern Africa from South Africa, through to Botswana, and into Namibia, including Etosha National Park.
The name Cape ground squirrel is somewhat misleading as it actually has a much wider area of habitation. This common name may have been arrived at to distinguish it from a tree squirrel (the eastern grey squirrel) found around Cape Town, which was imported from Europe by Cecil John Rhodes.
The species has also been known as the fan-tailed squirrel.
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The Cape ground squirrel has black skin with a coat made of short stiff hairs without underfur. The fur is cinnamon on the back while the face, underbelly, sides of neck and ventral sides of limbs are white.[5] The sides of its body each have a white stripe that stretches from the shoulders to the thighs. The eyes are fairly large and have white lines around them. The pinnae are small. The tail is flattened on the back and underside and is covered with white hair and two black bands at the base.[6] The Cape ground's sexual dimorphism is subtle. Males usually weigh 423–649 grams (0.933–1.431 lb), 8 to 12 percent more than females at 444–600 grams (0.979–1.323 lb).[7] Male Cape ground squirrels have a total length of 424–476 millimetres (16.7–18.7 in), while females are 435–446 millimetres (17.1–17.6 in) long.[5] The dental formula of the ground squirrel is 1.1.0.01.1.3.3.[8] The belly and groin area of the females each have two pairs of mammary glands. The glans penis of the males are large with a prominent baculum.[5] This species is notable for its impressively large testicles, which are roughly golf ball size, around 20% of the length of the head and body.[8] Moulting occurs between August and September and between March and April, once per year.[9]
The Cape ground squirrel is widespread in southern Africa; through Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia.[1][10] Its range covers most of Namibia but is absent from coastal regions and the northwest.[6] Ground squirrels inhabit central and southwestern Kalahari in Botswana.[11] In South Africa, it can be found in central and north-central areas.[6]
Cape ground squirrels live mainly in arid or semiarid areas.[9] They prefer to live in veld and grasslands with hard ground. They can also be found in scrub along pans, on floodplains and in agricultural areas.[11] Ground squirrel are generally active during the day and do not hibernate. They are burrowing animals that dig and live in clusters of burrows averaging around 700 square metres (7,500 sq ft)[12] with 2-100 entrances.[9] Burrows serve to protect the squirrel from extreme temperatures at the surface as well as predators. Nevertheless, most of the day is spent feeding at the surface.[10] Squirrels shade their head and back with their bushy tails, which was originally thought to be important for thermoregulation. However, research has revealed that tail raising does not actually decrease core body temperature and seems to mostly serve as a way for squirrels to cool the skin and increase their thermal comfort as they forage in the hot sun in between visits to their burrows.[13] Burrowing has been shown to reduce the squirrel's core body temperature by a few degrees Celsius.[13] Squirrels tend to leave the burrows earlier in the morning in the summer months to avoid the heat, and in the winter months their core body temperature increases rapidly upon exiting their burrows.[14] Dust bathing is also done.
Ground squirrels eat bulbs, fruits, grasses, herbs, insects and shrubs.[5] They forage daily and do not hoard food,.[9] The Cape ground squirrel usually does not need to drink as it gets sufficient moisture from its food.[5] A ground squirrel's daily activities are made of around 70% feeding, 15-20% being vigilant and around 10% socializing.[9][12] The squirrels use the position of the sun as an orientation marker to hide and recover their food.[15]
The burrows of Cape ground squirrels are also used by meerkats and yellow mongooses.[16] While Cape ground squirrels and meerkats appear to have a mutual relationship, mongoose and squirrel relations appear to be more commensal.[16] Predators of ground squirrels include jackals, snakes and monitor lizards. Ground squirrels may be able to scent the differences in the dropping of predators and non-predators.[17] When threatened by predators ground squirrels engage in mobbing behaviour:[16][18] several squirrels rush at the predator while using their bushy tails to block it. When the predator strikes back, all the squirrels back off. However, multiple mobbings are usually successful in driving away predators.[18]
Cape ground squirrels live in groups of two to three adult females and a maximum of nine sub-adults of either sex[12] as well as the females' dependent offspring.[9] Groups that have more than three females split into smaller groups.[19] Adult males live separately from females and only join when the females are in estrus.[12] Male groups number up to 19 unrelated individuals, which are not agonistic. Within a male group, four to five males may form temporary subgroups that change size and members each day.[5] Female groups live in separate burrow clusters. A female group's home range is c. 4 hectares (9.9 acres) with core areas of around 0.25 hectares (0.62 acres).[12] Home ranges can overlap. Core areas are defended by agonistic behaviour.[10][12] Male groups live in home ranges envelop those of several female groups and average 12.1 hectares (30 acres).[12] Within a female group there is no dominance hierarchy, and members use the same feeding and sleeping ranges. Male groups, by contrast, live in ages-based linear hierarchies. Competition between males usually takes the form of leaping displays that cause no injuries.[20] Unlike female groups, male groups are not territorial, and membership is very open.[5] During oestrus, a female will be approached, solicited and chased by males trying to mate with her. The most dominant males get the first matings.[20] A female will mate with the same male several times. If a male has not yet mated with a female, he will disrupt the copulations she has with other males.[20] However, mate guarding is rare.
When perceiving something as a threat, ground squirrels will emit a whistle-like call as an alarm call.[8][10] The alarm call comes in two forms; the short and shrill "bi-jo" which signals serious danger, and a medium-pitched "bi-joo" sound which is used for lesser dangers.[8] During antagonistic encounters, squirrels emit deep growls as signs of aggression.[10] Juvenile squirrels make play calls, nest-chirpings, and protest squeaks.[5]
Cape ground squirrel mate and reproduce year-round[9][11][21] but mating occurs mostly in dry winter months.[5] Since females copulate with multiple males, the males' large testes are useful for sperm competition. After copulation, males will masturbate, which could serve to keep the genitals clean and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.[22] In groups, only one female at a time enters oestrus which lasts around three hours. Gestation lasts around 48 days[21] or 42–49 days.[8] Lactation begins not long before the pups are born. A lactating female isolates herself in a separate burrow to care for their young but she returns to her group after weaning or if her litter is lost for some reason.[5] There are 1-3 pups in a litter.[9][21] They are born altricial, hairless and blind.[9] The pups stay in the burrows for their first 45 days. By 35 days, the eyes are open.[9] Seven days after emerging from the burrows, the pups can eat solid food. Lactation ends at around 52 days.[21] Males reach sexual maturity at eight months while female mature at 10 months. The former leave their natal groups while the latter remain.[12]
The Cape ground squirrels populations does not seem to be threatened overall. In some areas, it is persecuted as an agricultural pest.[1] In addition, humans have used poisonous grass to control ground squirrel due to crop damage and rabies.[8] It inhabits protected areas, such as Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana and South Africa and Etosha National Park in Namibia.[1]
Young Cape ground squirrels
Ground squirrel at burrow entrance
Cape ground squirrels
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Male eating, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
The Cape ground squirrel or South African ground squirrel (Geosciurus inauris) is found in most of the drier parts of southern Africa from South Africa, through to Botswana, and into Namibia, including Etosha National Park.
The name Cape ground squirrel is somewhat misleading as it actually has a much wider area of habitation. This common name may have been arrived at to distinguish it from a tree squirrel (the eastern grey squirrel) found around Cape Town, which was imported from Europe by Cecil John Rhodes.
The species has also been known as the fan-tailed squirrel.
La ardilla terrestre de El Cabo (Xerus inauris) es una especie de roedor esciuruomorfo de la familia Sciuridae propia del África austral. Su área de distribución comprende Sudáfrica, Lesoto, Botsuana y Namibia.[1]
La ardilla terrestre de El Cabo (Xerus inauris) es una especie de roedor esciuruomorfo de la familia Sciuridae propia del África austral. Su área de distribución comprende Sudáfrica, Lesoto, Botsuana y Namibia.
Xerus inauris Xerus generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Xerinae azpifamilia eta Sciuridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Xerus inauris Xerus generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Xerinae azpifamilia eta Sciuridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Xerus inauris, ou Écureuil de terre du Cap, est un rongeur du genre Xerus. C'est une espèce du sud de l'Afrique et proche des Écureuils.
L'écureuil de terre du Cap présente un dimorphisme sexuel léger, le mâle étant 8 à 12% plus lourd que la femelle[1]. La femelle mesure de 43,5 à 44,6 cm de long pour un poids allant de 444 à 600 g et le mâle mesure de 45,2 à 47,6 cm de long pour un poids allant de 423 à 649 g[1],[2].
Cette espèce est présente en Namibie, au Botswana, en Afrique du Sud et au Lesotho[3].
L'écureuil de terre du Cap (Xerus inauris) est un rongeur exclusivement diurne vivant dans des espaces ouverts de régions arides[4].
Mâles et femelles vivent dans des groupes séparés. Les femelles vivent en groupe de 1 à 4 femelles avec leurs petits. Il n'y a pas de hiérarchie. Les mâles vivent dans des groupes pouvant contenir jusqu'à 19 individus. Ils ont une hiérarchie stricte basée sur l'âge[2].
Les groupes d'écureuils de terre du Cap, aussi bien mâle que femelle, peuvent partager leur terrier avec des suricates (Suricata suricatta) et des mangoustes jaunes (Cynictis penicillata)[1].
Les écureuils de terre du Cap adoptent plusieurs comportements de thermorégulation pour se protéger de la chaleur. Dès que la température extérieure excède 40 °C, ils se placent dos au soleil et lèvent leur queue au dessus de leur dos. On estime que cela leur permet d'abaisser la température au-dessus d'eux d'environ 5 °C[5].
Ils se nourrissent de bulbes, de fruits, d'herbes, d'insectes et de graines[1]. Les plantes les plus consommées sont Cynodon dactylon et Enneapogon brachystachyus puis viennent Stipagrostis obtusa, Aristida obtusa et Boscia foetida. Ils consomment les graines des genres Leucas, Sophora et des espèces Tribulus terrestris et Urochloa panicoides. Ils complètent leur alimentation avec des insectes, notamment des termites, des coléoptères, des criquets et des chenilles[6].
Il n'y a pas de période de reproduction, l'écureuil de terre du Cap se reproduit toute l'année avec néanmoins un pic en hiver. Mâles et femelles ont de multiples partenaires. L'accouplement peut avoir lieu aussi bien sous terre que sur le sol. La période de gestation est de 48 jours en moyenne. La femelle donne naissance à une portée de 1 à 3 petits qui sont nus et aveugles. Le sexe ratio est équilibré. Les poils et les moustaches des petits sont visibles au bout de 7 jours et le corps est couvert d'un pelage beige après 14 jours. Les petits ouvrent les yeux au bout de 35 jours[1]. Ils sont capables de sortir du terrier au bout de 45 jours et sont sevrés après 52 jours. Ils sont alors capables de chercher eux-mêmes leur nourriture. Les mâles atteignent la maturité sexuelle au bout de 8 mois, ils doivent alors quitter leur mère pour rejoindre un groupe de mâles. Les femelles atteignent la maturité sexuelle au bout de 10 mois, elles restent dans leur groupe social[1],[2].
Les principaux prédateurs terrestres de Xerus inauris sont le chacal à chabraque (Canis mesomelas) et le Chat sauvage d’Afrique (Felis silvestris lybica)[7]. L'Autour chanteur (Melierax canorus) est l'un de ses prédateurs aériens[7].
Écureuil de terre du Cap creusant un terrier (Parc transfrontalier de Kgalagadi, Afrique du Sud)
Mâle (Tswalu Kalahari, Afrique du Sud)
Femelle (Parc transfrontalier de Kgalagadi, Afrique du Sud)
Juvéniles (Parc transfrontalier de Kgalagadi, Afrique du Sud)
Parc national Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana.
Xerus inauris, ou Écureuil de terre du Cap, est un rongeur du genre Xerus. C'est une espèce du sud de l'Afrique et proche des Écureuils.
Lo xero del Capo (Geosciurus inauris) è un roditore della famiglia degli Sciuridae che vive nella maggior parte delle zone secche dell'Africa meridionale, dal Sudafrica attraverso il Botswana fino alla Namibia
Il Geosciurus inauris presenta una pelliccia ispida che copre tutto il corpo, e sotto di essa, a differenza di altri mammiferi, è privo di peluria morbida. La parte dorsale della pelliccia è color cannella e nei diversi individui presenta varianti più scure o più chiare[2]; il muso, la zona del ventre, i lati del collo e la parte interna degli arti sono invece bianchi, mentre la pelle è scura. I padiglioni auricolari sono piccoli. Su entrambi i lati del corpo l'animale ha una striscia bianca che va dalla spalla alla coscia. Attorno agli occhi presenta delle fini linee bianche. La coda è appiattita a continuazione di dorso e ventre, coperta da pelo bianco con due bande nere alla base[3]. Nello xero del Capo assistiamo un non pronunciato dimorfismo sessuale: i maschi pesano di solito fra i 423 e i 649 g, l'8-12% più delle femmine, che invece pesano fra i 444 e i 600 g[4]. La lunghezza totale è di 424-476 mm per i maschi e 435-446 mm[2].
La formula dentaria è 1.1.0.0 1.1.3.3 {displaystyle {egin{smallmatrix}{frac {1.1.0.0}{1.1.3.3}}end{smallmatrix}}} 
Le femmine hanno due coppie di mammelle, la prima all'altezza dell'inguine e la seconda all'altezza degli addominali[5].
Nei maschi il glande è relativamente grosso, con uno sviluppato osso penico sulla terminazione e curvato verso il basso[2]. Questa specie è in particolare notevole per i suoi testicoli grandi, che corrispondono a circa il 20% della lunghezza del corpo e della testa[5].
La muta del pelo avviene ogni anno fra agosto e settembre e fra marzo e aprile[6].
Lo xero del Capo vive nei territori aridi dell'Africa meridionale[7]: è largamente presente in Namibia (ma risulta assente nelle regioni costiere e nel nordest[3]), abita le zone centrali e sud-occidentali del Kalahari, in Botswana[8], e si può trovare anche nella regione sud-occidentale della Provincia del Nordovest in Sudafrica fino a quella di Free State e in Lesotho. È diffuso anche nei territori della Provincia del Capo Settentrionale, ma solo nella zona nord-orientale[3]. A sud il limite estremo della distribuzione è la zona di Graaff Reinet[3], città nella Provincia del Capo Orientale.
Come si vede, la denominazione "del Capo" è in qualche modo fuorviante, dal momento che l'animale ha un'area di insediamento assai più vasta. Questo nome può essergli stato attribuito per distinguerlo da un'altra specie di scoiattolo, questa arboricola: lo scoiattolo grigio orientale, anch'esso stanziato attorno a Città del Capo, che fu introdotto dall'Europa da Cecil John Rhodes
Il Geosciurus inauris ha il suo habitat nelle zone aride o semiaride[6]: vive di preferenza nelle piane sabbiose (velds) e nelle praterie con terreno duro, ma lo si può trovare anche in piccoli gruppi nelle zone limitrofe ai laghi di origine alluvionale (pans), nelle stesse pianure alluvionali e nei campi coltivati[8]. Lo xero è animale generalmente diurno, e non va in letargo. Le tane consistono in gruppi di tunnel scavati nel terreno per un'estensione di circa 700 m2[9], con un numero di ingressi che va da 2 a 100[6]. I tunnel proteggono l'animale dalle temperature estreme in superficie e dai predatori, ma nonostante questo lo xero passa la maggior parte del giorno alla ricerca di cibo in superficie[7], dove, per esigenze di termoregolazione, posiziona la folta coda contro il sole per coprirsi il capo e il dorso[10] e si rotola nella polvere. Si nutre di bulbi, frutti, erbe, piante, insetti e arbusti[2]. Non accumula cibo nelle tane, quindi la nutrizione costituisce un'attività giornaliera[6] che occupa il 70% delle attività dell'animale (un restante 15-20% del tempo è impiegato nella sorveglianza del territorio, il resto nelle interazioni sociali[6][9]). Il fabbisogno d'acqua, minimo, è soddisfatto dalla percentuale d'acqua contenuta nella vegetazione erbacea, e l'animale beve raramente[2].
Per le medesime esigenze di difesa da temperatura e predatori, le tane dello xero sono usate anche da suricati e manguste[11]. Tale convivenza appare, nel caso delle suricate, come mutualmente vantaggiosa, a differenza delle manguste che costituiscono semplicemente commensali dello scoiattolo[11].
Fra i predatori dello xero troviamo sciacalli, serpenti e varani. Lo xero del Capo è in grado di distinguere, dall'odore delle feci, se esse appartengano o meno ad un predatore[12]. Quando vengono minacciati attuano contro i predatori (ad esempio i serpenti) dei comportamenti intimidatori[11][13]: in più avanzano di colpo verso il predatore frapponendo fra loro ed esso le code a cespuglio, poi, quando il predatore stesso scatta all'indietro gli xeri si ritirano. Di solito, i comportamenti intimidatori di gruppo si dimostrano efficaci nell'allontanare le minacce[13].
I gruppi di xeri contano di solito due o tre esemplari adulti di sesso femminile e fino a nove esemplari giovani di entrambi i sessi che costituiscono la prole dipendente dalle femmine stesse[6], mentre un gruppo con più di tre femmine si divide in entità più piccole[14]. I maschi invece vivono separatamente in gruppi pacifici che contano fino a 19 individui non legati da parentela, e si uniscono alle femmine soltanto nel periodo dell'estro di una di esse[9]; all'interno di un gruppo maschile possono formarsi dei sottogruppi di quattro o cinque esemplari che cambiano anche giornalmente numero e composizione[2].
I gruppi di femmine vivono, come detto sopra, in gruppi di tunnel che hanno uscita distribuite su una superficie di circa 4 ha, con un nucleo centrale di circa 0,25 ha[9]. I territori di diversi gruppi possono sovrapporsi, ma il nucleo verrà difeso da ciascuno di essi con comportamenti aggressivi[7][9]. Il territorio di un gruppo di maschi, con i suoi 12,1 ha di ampiezza[9], va a includere quelli di numerosi gruppi di femmine.
All'interno di un gruppo femminile, i membri condividono le zone del pasto e del sonno, senza che fra loro esista una gerarchia. Nei gruppi maschili, invece, abbiamo delle nette gerarchie di dominanza basate sull'età dei membri e mantenute poi per sostituzione dei membri stessi. Le competizioni fra i maschi consistono in dimostrazioni di salto senza manifestazioni di violenza o ferite[15]. Inoltre i maschi non sono territoriali come le femmine, ed è frequente l'immigrazione e l'emigrazione di un membro fra un gruppo e l'altro[2].
Quando percepisce una minaccia, lo xero emette un richiamo di allarme simile a un fischio[5][7]. Tale richiamo può avere due forme: un verso breve e acuto che mette in forte allarme gli altri membri del gruppo, e un suono meno acuto usato per pericoli non imminenti[5]. Durante gli scontri per la predominanza, gli individui emettono grugniti profondi e aggressivi[7]. Gli esemplari giovani si allenano nei richiami con fischi e squittii[2].
Lo xero del Capo si accoppia nel corso di tutto l'anno[6][8][16], e in particolare nei mesi secchi invernali[2]. Poiché le femmine hanno accoppiamenti multipli, i grandi testicoli dei maschi li aiutano a sostenere la competizione spermatica. Dopo l'accoppiamento, i maschi si masturbano, sia allo scopo di pulirsi i genitali, sia per ridurre la possibilità di infezioni trasmissibili sessualmente[17].
L'estro dura tre ore e si verifica in una femmina del gruppo alla volta. Durante l'estro, la femmina in calore viene avvicinata, sollecitata con insistenza e inseguita dai maschi che vogliono accoppiarsi con lei, e il maschio dominante si accoppia con lei per primo[15]: una femmina consente numerosi accoppiamenti, sia col primo maschio che con quelli successivi nella scala gerarchica. Quando un maschio non si è ancora accoppiato con una femmina, disturberà gli accoppiamenti che essa effettua con altri maschi[15]. Tuttavia è raro che l'accoppiamento venga difeso.
La gestazione dura fra i 42 e i 49 giorni[5][16], e termina con la nascita di una cucciolata che conta da uno a tre piccoli[6][16]: essi sono ciechi e senza pelo[6]; gli occhi si aprono dopo il trentacinquesimo giorno[6]. Dopo la nascita ha inizio l'allattamento: una femmina che allatta si sposta in un tunnel separato per prendersi cura dei piccoli, e torna nel gruppo dopo lo svezzamento o nel caso di perdita della cucciolata[2]. I cuccioli rimangono nel tunnel per i primi 45 giorni; sette giorni dopo essere usciti, iniziano a nutrirsi di cibi solidi, e l'allattamento termina intorno al cinquantaduesimo giorno[16].
I maschi raggiungono la maturità sessuale ad otto mesi, e lasciano il loro gruppo di nascita; le femmine invece raggiungono la maturità a dieci mesi e restano nel gruppo[9].
Sembrano non esistere nel complesso gravi minacce per lo xero del Capo. In alcune regioni esso viene considerato un animale infestante per l'agricoltura, e per evitare il danneggiamento delle colture e il rischio legato alla diffusione della rabbia l'uomo ha usato erba avvelenata per controllarne la diffusione[5]. Tuttavia la specie resta comune in molte aree protette, tra cui il Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana e Sudafrica, e l'Etosha National Park in Namibia.
Lo xero del Capo (Geosciurus inauris) è un roditore della famiglia degli Sciuridae che vive nella maggior parte delle zone secche dell'Africa meridionale, dal Sudafrica attraverso il Botswana fino alla Namibia
De Kaapse grondeekhoorn (Xerus inauris) is een knaagdier uit de familie van de eekhoorns.
De rugvacht is bruinroze, met op de flanken een witte streep. De buik, snuit en poten zijn eveneens wit. De grote ogen zijn witomrand. De staart heeft zwarte banden aan de top en bij de voet. De lichaamslengte bedraagt 20 tot 30 cm, de staartlengte 18 tot 26 cm en het gewicht 575 gram.
Hun voedsel bestaat uit zaden, bollen en wortels, maar ook insecten en vogeleieren staan op hun menu. Deze dieren leven in groepsverband in groepen van 6 tot 10 dieren, soms wel 30.
De soort komt voor in droge savanne en subtropisch of tropisch droog struikland in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibië, Zimbabwe en Zuid-Afrika.
Mediabestanden die bij dit onderwerp horen, zijn te vinden op de pagina Xerus inauris op Wikimedia Commons. 
Multimedia w Wikimedia Commons Afrowiórka namibijska[4] (Xerus inauris) – gatunek ssaka z rodziny wiewiórkowatych występujący w Afryce od Namibii do Republiki Południowej Afryki. Zamieszkuje suche środowiska, takie jak sawanny.
Długość ciała 43,5 – 47,6 cm. Masa 423-649 g. Samce większe od samic. Futro krótkie, na grzbiecie brązowe, na brzuchu, szyi, pysku i łapach białe. Skóra czarna. Ogon biały, niemal równy długości ciała, w gorące dni służy jako parasol – wiewiórki unoszą go i chronią się w jego cieniu przed słońcem. Małe uszy.
Dzienny tryb życia. Żyją w wykopanych w ziemi norach. Są terytorialne. Żyją w stadach złożonych z 1-4 samic i ich młodych. Samce zbierają się w osobne, ściśle zhierarchizowane stada liczące do 19 osobników. Żywią się trawą, ziołami, nasionami, bulwami i owadami.
Rozmnażają się przez cały rok, najczęściej w zimie. Są poligamiczne – zarówno samice, jak i samce mają wielu partnerów. Po 42-49 dniach ciąży samica rodzi 1-3 ślepe, nagie młode, które karmi mlekiem przez ok. 52 dni. 45 dnia małe są już na tyle duże, by pierwszy raz wyjść z nory. Po około 153 dniach młode są już w pełni samodzielne i osiągają rozmiary dorosłych osobników. Samce są zdolne do rozrodu w wieku ośmiu miesięcy, samice – 2 miesiące później. Samice całe życie spędzają w rodzinnej grupie, samce odchodzą po osiągnięciu dojrzałości płciowej. Najstarszy znany osobnik żył 11,5 roku.
Afrowiórki namibijskie stanowią pożywienie drapieżników afrykańskich, zwłaszcza szakala czaprakowego, żmii sykliwej i warana stepowego. Jej nory są wykorzystywane jako schronienia przez surykatki i mangusty lisie. Wiewiórki często żyją w pobliżu surykatek. Pozwalają im korzystać ze swoich nor, w zamian za co surykatki ostrzegają je przed niebezpieczeństwem.
Afrowiórka namibijska (Xerus inauris) – gatunek ssaka z rodziny wiewiórkowatych występujący w Afryce od Namibii do Republiki Południowej Afryki. Zamieszkuje suche środowiska, takie jak sawanny.
Kapjordekorre (Xerus inauris) är en art i ekorrfamiljen.
Pälsen är styv och liknar borstar. Den är huvudsakligen ljusbrun, men buken, halsen, benens insida och delar av ansiktet är vita. På bägge sidor av kroppen finns en vit strimma som går från skuldrorna till bakbenen. Vid svansens rot finns ibland svarta tvärstrimmor.
Kroppslängden ligger mellan 24 och 28 centimeter och därtill kommer en 19 till 21 centimeter lång svans. Hannar är oftast lite större än honor och når en vikt som är 10 % tyngre (upp till 650 gram).
Djuret lever i öknar och halvöknar i Sydafrika, Namibia, Botswana och Lesotho. I Namibia överlappas utbredningsområdet av territoriet för arten Xerus princeps.
I habitatet finns ofta gräs, några buskar eller ingen större vegetation alls. Djuret uthärdar lufttemperaturer upp till 39°C och marktemperaturer upp till 62°C.
Kapjordekorrar är aktiva på dagen. De lever i självgrävda underjordiska tunnelsystem på en areal av cirka 700 m² som har två till hundra utgångar. Individerna lever i små flockar som antingen bara bildas av honor och deras ungar eller av endast hannar. Bara under parningstiden vistas hannarna i honornas gångsystem. Grupper med honor bildas av upp till fyra vuxna honor och deras ungar, vanligen lämnar ingen hona gruppen. I bon med hannar lever upp till 19 individer och gruppens sammansättning ändrar sig kontinuerligen.
I bon är kapjordekorrarna skyddade för heta lufttemperaturer och fiender. De utstöter höga läten för att varna gruppens medlemmar. Hannar och honor kan dela bon med individer av surikat eller gul mangust. Det finns inga större lager för födan i bon.
Kapjordekorrar livnär sig av gräs, örter, blad, rötter och frukter samt av några insekter.
Honor kan para sig hela året men vanligen förekommer bara en kull per år. Dräktigheten varar i 42 till 49 dagar och sedan föder honan ett till tre ungdjur. Ungarna som vid födelsen är nakna och blinda stannar cirka 45 dagar i bon. Efter ungefär 7 dagar syns de första håren och efter 35 dagar öppnar de ögonen. Kort efter att ungarna lämnar bon för första gången slutar honan att ge di.
Kapjordekorre (Xerus inauris) är en art i ekorrfamiljen.
Wikimedia Commons'ta Xerus inauris ile ilgili çoklu ortam belgeleri bulunur. 
Wikispecies'te Xerus inauris ile ilgili detaylı taksonomi bilgileri bulunur. Xerus inauris, kemiriciler takımından sincapgiller familyasına ait bir türdür.
Botsvana, Lesotho, Namibya, Güney Afrika Cumhuriyeti ve Zimbabve'de görülürler. Doğal habitatları kuru savana ve astropikal veya tropikal kuru fundalıklardır.
Botsvana ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. 
Güney Afrika Cumhuriyeti ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. 
Lesotho ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. 
Namibya ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. 
Zimbabve ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. 
Kemiriciler ile ilgili bu madde bir taslaktır. Madde içeriğini geliştirerek Vikipedi'ye katkıda bulunabilirsiniz. Xerus inauris, kemiriciler takımından sincapgiller familyasına ait bir türdür.
Botsvana, Lesotho, Namibya, Güney Afrika Cumhuriyeti ve Zimbabve'de görülürler. Doğal habitatları kuru savana ve astropikal veya tropikal kuru fundalıklardır.
Sóc đất Nam Phi, tên khoa học Xerus inauris, là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Sóc, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Zimmermann mô tả năm 1780.[2]
Xerus inauris sống trên khắp nam châu Phi; qua Botswana, Nam Phi và Namibia.[3] Dải phân bố của nó bao phủ hầu hết Namibia nhưng không có mặt ở những vùng ven biển và tây bắc.[4] Xerus inauris cư trú ở trung và tây nam Kalahari ở Botswana.[5] Ở Nam Phi, nó có thể được tìm thấy ở trung và trung-bắc.[4]
Sóc đất Nam Phi, tên khoa học Xerus inauris, là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Sóc, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Zimmermann mô tả năm 1780.
Капская земляная белка[1] (лат. Xerus inauris) — грызун рода африканских земляных белок (Xerus). Обитает в Южной Африке в неглубоких норах. Мех у земляных белок редкий и жёсткий, без подшёрстка.
Длина тела 22—26 см. Длина хвоста 20—25 см. Сожительствует с сурикатами. Земляных белок держат как домашних животных.
Капская земляная белка (лат. Xerus inauris) — грызун рода африканских земляных белок (Xerus). Обитает в Южной Африке в неглубоких норах. Мех у земляных белок редкий и жёсткий, без подшёрстка.
Длина тела 22—26 см. Длина хвоста 20—25 см. Сожительствует с сурикатами. Земляных белок держат как домашних животных.
南非地松鼠（Xerus inauris）是齧齒目下的一種松鼠。牠們分佈在博茨瓦納、萊索托、納米比亞、南非及津巴布韋。牠們的棲息地是乾旱的大草原，並熱帶及亞熱帶的灌叢帶。
分類 界 : 動物界 Animalia 門 : 脊索動物門 Chordata 亜門 : 脊椎動物亜門 Vertebrata 綱 : 哺乳綱 Mammalia 目 : ネズミ目（齧歯目） Rodentia 亜目 : リス亜目 Sciuromorpha 科 : リス科 Sciuridae 亜科 : Xerinae 族 : Xerini 属 : アラゲジリス属 Xerus 種 : ケープアラゲジリス X. inauris 学名 Xerus inauris
ケープアラゲジリス (Xerus inauris) は、ネズミ目（齧歯目）リス科アラゲジリス属に属するジリスの1種。
南部アフリカの南アフリカ共和国、ボツワナ、ナミビアに分布し、乾燥した地域に生息する。
ケープ地方のみならず、もっと広い範囲に生息しているため、「ケープ」アラゲジリスという名前は、誤解を招きやすい。この名前は、ケープタウン周辺に生息するトウブハイイロリス（セシル・ローズによってヨーロッパから輸入された樹上性リス）と区別するために付けられたと思われる。
南部アフリカ（ボツワナ、南アフリカ共和国、ナミビア）[2]。
ナミビアの大部分に分布するが、沿岸地域と北西部を除く[3]。 ボツワナのカラハリ地区中央部および南西部に分布する[4]。 南アフリカ共和国では、中央および北中部の地域でみられる[3]。
地肌は黒く、短く硬い毛に覆われている。背中は黄味がかった褐色で、下腹部や手足の腹部側は白色[5]。体の両側部には、肩から腿にかけて1本の白色の縞がある。大きな目の周りには白色の縁取りがある。耳介は小さい。尾は平らで、白色の毛に覆われており、付け根には2本の黒い縞がある[3]。換毛は年1回、8-9月、3-4月の間にある[6]。
性的二形は、はっきりとはしない。オスが体重423-649グラム、メスは444-600グラムで、一般にオスはメスよりも8-12パーセント重い[7]。オスは全長424–476ミリメートル、メスは全長435-446ミリメートル[5]。
歯式は、 1.0.1.3 1.0.1.3 {displaystyle { frac {1.0.1.3}{1.0.1.3}}} 
メスの腹部と鼠径部には、それぞれ2対の乳腺がある。オスの陰茎亀頭は大きく、突起した陰茎骨がある[5]。頭胴長のおよそ20パーセントにまで拡大した精巣でよく知られている[8]。
主に乾燥帯および半乾燥の地域に生息する[6]。ベルト (veld) と呼ばれる高地草原や固い地面の草地を好む。窪地に沿った低木林や、氾濫原、農地にも生息する[4]。 昼行性で、冬眠はしない。
平均およそ700平方メートル[9]、2-100か所の入り口[6]のある巣穴を掘って、群れで生活する。巣穴は捕食者や地表の極めて厳しい暑さから守ってくれるにもかかわらず、一日の大半は地表で食物を食べることに費やす[2]。
体温調節のため、頭と背中の上にふさふさした尾をかざして日差しを避ける[10]。砂浴びも行う。
食性は草食性で、球根、果実、草、ハーブ、昆虫、灌木を食べる[5]。食物を貯蓄しないため、食べ物探しは日課である[6]。通常は水を飲む必要はなく、食物から水分を摂取する[5]。毎日の活動の約70パーセントは食事、15-20パーセントは見張り、10パーセントが社会的行動である[6][9]。
巣穴は、ミーアキャットやキイロマングースにも利用される[11]。ケープアラゲジリスとミーアキャットの関係が相利共生のようにみえるのに対して、マングースとの関係は片利共生だと思われる[11]。
捕食者には、ジャッカル、ヘビ、オオトカゲがいる。捕食者とそうでない者のフンの匂いの違いを嗅ぎ分けることができる[12]。ヘビのような捕食者に迫られた際には、せっせとモビング（尾を振って相手を威嚇する動作、Mobbing）を行う[11][13]。毛の豊かな尾を盾にしながら、群れで捕食者に突撃することもある。捕食者が反撃すると、一斉に後ずさりする。しかしながら、複数のジリスによるモビングはたいてい捕食者を追い払うことに成功する[13]。
メスの群れは、2-3頭の大人のメスと最大9頭の亜成体[9]、そしてメスが育てている子どもを含む[6]。群れのメスが3頭以上になると、より小さな群れに分かれる[14]。大人のオスはメスから離れて暮らし、メスが発情期になった時にだけ群れに加わる[9]。 オスの群れは19頭にまでなる。オスの群れでは、4-5頭のオスが、毎日規模もメンバーも変わる一時的な下位集団を形成する[5]。
メスの群れは隔てられた巣穴で生活し、行動圏は4ヘクタール、中心領域はおよそ0.25ヘクタールである[9]。行動圏は重なり合うが、中心領域は敵対行動で守られる[2][9]。オスの群れは、いくつかのこうしたメスの群れを包む、平均12.1ヘクタールの行動圏で生活する[9]。メスの群れでは、メンバーは同じ食事場所、睡眠場所を使用し、順位制は存在しない。対照的に、オスの群れは年齢を基準とする階級制度が存在する。通常はオス同士の競争は、跳びはねるディスプレイの形をとり、怪我をすることはない[15]。また、オスの群れは、メスの群れのように縄張り行動を見せることはない[5]。
発情期の間、オスはメスと交配しようとしてメスに接近し、誘い、追いかける。最も優位のオスが最初に交配する[15]。メスは同じオスと複数回交配する。まだメスと交配できていないオスは、メスと他のオスとの交尾を妨害しようとする[15]が、交尾妨害は滅多に起こらない。
危険に気付いた際には、鳥のさえずりの様な声で警戒鳴きをする[8][2]。警戒鳴きには2種類ある。短く甲高い鳴き声は深刻な危険を知らせる。中くらいの高さの鳴き声はそれほど差し迫っていない危険に使用される[8]。敵と向かい合っている間は、攻撃性の合図として低いうなり声をあげる[2]。幼い子どもたちはプレーコールをし、鳴き声をあげ、キーキーと鳴いて警戒する[5]。
1年中、交配し、繁殖する[6][4][16]。しかし、交配のほとんどは冬の乾季に行われる[5]。メスは多数のオスと交配するため、オスの大きな精巣は精子競争に役立つ。交配後、オスは生殖器を清潔に保ち性感染症のリスクを減らすためにマスターベーションを行う[17]。群れの中で、1度にたった1頭のメスだけが、3時間ほどのあいだ発情期になる。
懐胎期間は48日間[16]、または42–49日間[8]。乳の分泌は子どもが生まれる前に始まる。授乳中のメスは、子どもたちの世話をするため、群れとの交際を経って離れた巣の中に自分自身を隔離するが、離乳後や何らかの理由で子どもを失った後には群れに戻る[5]。1回の出産で1-3子を生む[6][16]。
子どもは晩成性で、毛も生えず、目も見えない状態で生まれる[6]。生後35日までには目が見えるようになり[6]、生後45日目まで巣穴の中で過ごす。巣穴から出てきて7日後には、固い食物が食べられるようになる。生後52日頃に離乳する[16]。オスは生後8か月で、メスは生後10か月で性成熟する。オスは自分が生まれた群れから分散し、メスは生れた群れに留まる[9]。
全体的には、個体数は脅威にさらされてはいないように思われる。いくつかの地域では、農業にとっての害獣として迫害されている[1]。作物への被害や狂犬病が原因で、アラゲジリスの個体数を抑制するために毒性のある草を使用しているところもある[8]。
カラハリ・トランスフロンティア公園（ボツワナ、南アフリカ共和国）やエトーシャ国立公園（ナミビア）のような保護区にも生息している[1]。
ケープアラゲジリス (Xerus inauris) は、ネズミ目（齧歯目）リス科アラゲジリス属に属するジリスの1種。
南部アフリカの南アフリカ共和国、ボツワナ、ナミビアに分布し、乾燥した地域に生息する。
ケープ地方のみならず、もっと広い範囲に生息しているため、「ケープ」アラゲジリスという名前は、誤解を招きやすい。この名前は、ケープタウン周辺に生息するトウブハイイロリス（セシル・ローズによってヨーロッパから輸入された樹上性リス）と区別するために付けられたと思われる。
케이프땅다람쥐(Xerus inauris)는 다람쥐과에 속하는 설치류의 일종이다.[2] 남아프리카공화국부터 보츠와나를 거쳐 나미비아까지 남아프리카의 건조 지역 대부분에서 발견된다. "케이프땅다람쥐"라는 이름은 실제로 서식지 범위가 휠씬 더 넓기 때문에 약간 오해의 소지가 있다. 일반명은 세실 로즈가 유럽에서 수입했고, 케이프 타운 주변에서 발견되는 나무다람쥐(동부회색청서)와 구별할 목적에서 유래한 것으로 추정된다.
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