Squirrels up above and squirrels down below

This is a guest post by Chistine Marot. This post originally appeared on the Jaci's Lodges lodges blog and you can read it here

Keep an eye out for two different squirrel species found in Madikwe, one up above and the other down below!

As its name indicates, the tree squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi) lives its life in the safety of large trees, while the ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) prefers the sanctuary of a communal underground burrow.

The Tree Squirrel

The tree squirrel tends to have more of a greyish fur colouring than its ground-dwelling cousin, although there are variations in colouration depending on regional distribution. Tree squirrels are diurnal, foraging and feeding during the daylight hours on a diet of roots, grasses, buds, berries and insects, and sleeping at night. When threatened, they exhibit “mobbing” behaviour, when colony members make increasingly loud clicking sounds while flicking their tails to intimidate the source of a perceived threat.

Unlike the group mentality of the burrowing squirrel, tree species tend to live a solitary existence or cohabit in small family groups. Single animals need to be continually on high alert, relying on their wits to avoid danger. At the first sign of a threat they run up the nearest tree and lie quite still, flattened against a branch.

Young number one to three per litter, born in a tree hollow lined with grass and leaves. Three weeks after birth they emerge to explore the outside world. Once weaned from their mother the squirrel pups are expected to forage for their own food.

If you’re travelling near the centre of Madikwe, keep an eye out for the endearing South African ground squirrel which prefers the soft soil found in this region.

The ground squirrel has a yellowish-brown coat with a distinctive white stripe marking either side of its small body. Its bushy tail features two dark bands. Preferred habitats include spacious, arid regions areas such as open grassland and river floodplains. The chosen habitat must include suitable sand in which communal burrows are dug.

Ever alert Ground Squirrel

The ground squirrel is primarily herbivorous, feeding during the day on grass, roots, fruit, seeds and shrubs. On occasion it also feeds on insects. Unlike exotic squirrel species, this squirrel does not hibernate even though it lives in an underground burrow.

Typically these gregarious rodents live in small groups known as a dray or scurry, comprising six to nine animals of both sexes. However, mature males also tend to form exclusive larger groups of up to 20, known as bands. Bands are not territorial and seem content to share parts of a communal home range with other mixed groups, a behaviour which enhances their survival rate.

Females give birth to an annual litter of one to three young, known as pups or kits, between July and October.

Ground squirrels are endemic to arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert, Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo where rainfall is under 500mm per annum.