The Unstriped Ground Squirrel (Xerus rutilus) is a rodent mammal of the Sciuridae family.

It is from eastern Africa, in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Tanzania, Uganda, and Eritrea. It lives in hot dry shrublands. It is diurnal, so it is active during the day.

It is brown and furry with a white stomach and a bushy tail with black and white fur. There is a white line around their eyes. It has big white feet, with five toes. It has small triangular ears and a brown nose.

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

The Unstriped Ground Squirrel measures about 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches) long.

The Unstriped Ground Squirrel lives in families and communities in burrows. The group is called a dray or a scurry. Females are called does and males are called bucks. Babies are called pups, kits, or kittens.

It eats roots, seeds, fruit, grains, insects, bird eggs and small animals.

Females are pregnant for 34 days, and they feed their babies milk for about 10 weeks.

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM