Xerus

Xerus facts at a glance

How big is a xerus?

An adult xerus measures 45 cm long — about 26% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 700 g, about 1% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).

What is a group of xeruses called?

Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .

A built-in sunshade

The xerus, or African ground squirrel, fans its long bushy tail forward over its back and head to create shade in the searing heat of the open plains. This living parasol lets it stay active and forage during the hottest part of the day when few other animals are about.

Colony life underground

Xerus are highly social and live in groups that share networks of burrows. The burrows offer safety from predators and relief from extreme temperatures, and group members take turns watching for danger, giving sharp alarm calls when a hawk or snake appears.

Diet and foraging

Xerus are omnivores that eat seeds, bulbs, roots, fruit, and insects. They forage above ground during the day, using cheek pouches and quick digging to gather and store food, and rarely need to drink because they get moisture from their food.

Range and status

Found across the dry regions of southern and eastern Africa, xerus are common and adaptable, and they are listed as Least Concern. They play a useful role in their ecosystems by aerating soil and providing burrows used by other species.

Did you know? Xerus facts

• The xerus is an African ground squirrel of dry, open country, known for using its bushy tail as a parasol against the sun.
• A xerus is an African ground squirrel that lives in dry, open habitats and is famous for using its bushy tail as a sunshade.
• The xerus fans its tail forward to cast shade over its body, which helps it stay cool and keep foraging during the hottest hours of the day.
• Xerus live across the dry savannas, scrub, and semi-deserts of southern and eastern Africa, in colonies of shared burrows.
• Xerus are omnivores that eat seeds, roots, bulbs, fruit, and insects, gathering food during the day and getting most of their water from what they eat.
• Conservation: Least Concern (IUCN).

Diet & feeding

Xerus feeds primarily as a omnivore (seeds, roots, insects). The xerus, or African ground squirrel, fans its long bushy tail forward over its back and head to create shade in the searing heat of the open plains. This living parasol lets it stay active and forage during the hottest part of the day when few other animals

Adaptations

• The xerus, or African ground squirrel, fans its long bushy tail forward over its back and head to create shade in the searing heat of the open plains. This living parasol lets it stay active and forage during the hottest part of the day when few other animals are about.
• Xerus are highly social and live in groups that share networks of burrows. The burrows offer safety from predators and relief from extreme temperatures, and group members take turns watching for danger, giving sharp alarm calls when a hawk or snake appears.

Behaviour & ecology

• The xerus, or African ground squirrel, fans its long bushy tail forward over its back and head to create shade in the searing heat of the open plains. This living parasol lets it stay active and forage during the hottest part of the day when few other animals are about.
• Xerus are highly social and live in groups that share networks of burrows. The burrows offer safety from predators and relief from extreme temperatures, and group members take turns watching for danger, giving sharp alarm calls when a hawk or snake appears.
• Xerus are omnivores that eat seeds, bulbs, roots, fruit, and insects. They forage above ground during the day, using cheek pouches and quick digging to gather and store food, and rarely need to drink because they get moisture from their food.

Communication

• Xerus uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
• Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.

Habitat & range

Dry savanna, scrub, and semi-desert

Ecological role

Xerus plays a recognised ecological role in dry savanna, scrub, and semi-desert.

Conservation status of the Xerus

Sources & references

This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Xerus:

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

  Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Xerus inauris.

• iNaturalist — observations & photos

  Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Xerus inauris. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.

• GBIF — occurrence data

  Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Xerus inauris. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.

• IUCN Red List — Xerus inauris.

  Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.

• Animal Diversity Web — Xerus inauris. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

  Life history, morphology, and range.

• Global Animal Guide editorial standards

  How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.