Oh boy, let me tell you about these cute little Striped ground squirrels. They look so innocent, like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths, right? Well, let me just say, they are quite the mischievous bunch! I mean, seriously, watching them play in the trees is like witnessing a circus act. They bring me unadulterated joy, but let’s talk about when they invade our roof space. It’s like a never-ending nightmare! Forget about getting a good night’s sleep, it’s more like a constant battle for some peace and quiet. And during courtship season? Oh boy, hold on tight! These furry daredevils go full throttle, racing around at breakneck speed, chattering away like they’re in a high-speed squirrel conference. It’s a true squirrel symphony! Trust me, my friend, if you find yourself in such a situation, invest in some earplugs. Otherwise, you might as well join their little party!
In Africa, there are four kinds of squirrels. The Cape ground squirrel, Damara ground squirrel, Unstriped ground squirrel and last but not least, Striped ground squirrel. we are looking at The Striped ground squirrel.
How do they look?
They are moderately large ground squirrels. At around 27 centimetres and a tail that, at 19 to 26 centimetres, is nearly as long as the body. Adults weigh between 0.5 and 1 kilogram. They have a coat of short, bristly fur. And are pale sandy to dark brown across most of the body with a whitish, nearly hairless, underside.
A narrow stripe of pure white fur runs down the flanks from the shoulders to the hips. The tail has hairs much longer than those on the body. They fan out to the sides, and are multi-coloured along their length, presenting a grizzled appearance. The ears are small, and the muzzle long, with a projecting, almost pointed, nose. The limbs are pale, with large feet and long, straight, claws. They can be distinguished from the otherwise similar Cape and mountain ground squirrels by the fact that female striped ground squirrels possess three pairs of teats, rather than just two.
Scratch and sniff.
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of striped ground squirrels, where solitude and companionship go paw-in-paw! These little daredevils have perfected the art of graceful greetings by delicately bumping noses with their furry friends. Their jumping gait? It’s a mix of Olympic precision and hilarious mid-air pauses for the ultimate squirrel contemplation moments. When they need to zoom, behold their extraordinary longer leaps! But that’s not all – behold their mastery of tail fashion! In motion, their tails flow parallel to the ground, showcasing their elegance. In moments of stillness, their tails proudly stand tall, giving them that extra suave factor. Oh, and watch out! When startled, their tails transform into a fluffy “bottle brush” that could give a stylish salon a run for its acorns! And let’s not forget about their unique way of expressing emotions. Their high-speed chattering is truly a sight to behold – imagine a squirrel-sized debate on fast forward! It’s like watching Forest Gump meets a lively squirrel town-hall meeting! For more jaw-dropping squirrel facts, check out this source on Wikipedia. Brace yourselves for a wild ride!