Xerus inauris 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 Cape ground squirrel has black skin with a coat made of short stiff hairs without underfur.

The tail is flattened on the back and underside and is covered with white hair and two black bands at the base.

[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.

[9] Burrows serve to protect the squirrel from extreme temperatures at the surface as well as predators.

[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.

Ground squirrels eat bulbs, fruits, grasses, herbs, insects and shrubs.

[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.

[16] Predators of ground squirrels include jackals, snakes and monitor lizards.

[8] During antagonistic encounters, squirrels emit deep growls as signs of aggression.

[10] Juvenile squirrels make play calls, nest-chirpings, and protest squeaks.

After copulation, males will masturbate, which could serve to keep the genitals clean and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

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.

[1] In addition, humans have used poisonous grass to control ground squirrel due to crop damage and rabies.