Squirrels In Angola: Exploring Their Presence

Angola is a biologically diverse nation, home to some of the world's most incredible wildlife. With nearly 2,000 species of flora and fauna, the country boasts an impressive array of animals, including numerous species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Among these, squirrels can also be found in Angola, specifically the Beecroft's flying squirrel.

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae and are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa. They are small to medium-sized rodents and include tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. One such species found in Angola is the Beecroft's flying squirrel, which is native to the region.

The Beecroft's flying squirrel is known for its ability to glide through the air, using membranes that extend from its wrists to its ankles. This species is found in forested areas and is an important part of the local ecosystem, playing a role in seed dispersal and contributing to the diversity of plant life in the region.

In addition to the Beecroft's flying squirrel, there are also other squirrel species found in Africa, such as the Cape ground squirrel and the Mountain ground squirrel, which are native to southern and central Africa, respectively. These squirrels have distinct characteristics and habits, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the continent.

Beecroft's flying squirrels are native to Angola

Beecroft's flying squirrels (Anomalurus beecrofti) are native to Angola, though they are also found in other parts of West and Central Africa. They are a species of rodent in the family Anomaluridae, which includes other gliding mammals such as the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from Central Africa and the flying squirrels of Europe and North America. With a soft and thick coat, these medium-sized squirrels have a body length of about 28 cm (11 inches) and a tail of 21 cm (8 inches). The upper parts of their bodies are a brindled slate-grey, while the underparts are a paler grey with an orangeish sheen or white. They have a gliding membrane that extends from their fore limbs to their hind limbs and onwards to their tail, which is furred on the upper side but nearly naked underneath.

Beecroft's flying squirrels are largely nocturnal and spend their days in nests composed of leaves and twigs high up in the canopy. They come out at dusk to glide down to lower parts of the trees to forage for nuts, fruit, seeds, leaves, and bark. They are able to run along branches but rarely descend to the ground as their gliding membranes get in the way. They may occur alone or in pairs, or several individuals may live in the same tree and share a nest. They communicate through calls that sound like a combination of a whistle and a hoot, and they also make twittering sounds and have a hissing alarm call.

These squirrels are native to virgin wet and dry forests but can adapt to secondary forests and are found at altitudes of up to 2,500 meters. They prefer swampy forests with palms and are also known to inhabit oil palm plantations and other cultivated areas. Their reproduction has been little studied, but in Nigeria, breeding seems to occur during the rainy season, and females have been observed lactating in January and October. The litter size is typically one, and both parents care for the young.

Beecroft's flying squirrels are considered a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, despite facing threats from habitat destruction. They are a common species with a wide range, extending from Senegal in the west to Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the east, and southwards to Namibia, with a few records from Angola.

Squirrels in Angola include the Cape ground squirrel

The Cape ground squirrel has black skin and a coat of short, stiff hairs without underfur. The fur on its back is cinnamon-coloured, while the face, underbelly, sides of the neck, and ventral sides of the limbs are white. The sides of its body feature a white stripe stretching from the shoulders to the thighs, and the eyes are large with white lines around them. The tail is flattened and covered with white hair and two black bands at the base.

Cape ground squirrels inhabit arid or semi-arid regions, favouring hard-ground velds and grasslands. They can also be found in scrub areas, floodplains, and agricultural lands. They are diurnal and active during the day, and do not hibernate. These squirrels are burrowing animals, living in clusters of burrows with multiple entrances to protect them from extreme temperatures and predators. They spend most of their day feeding on bulbs, fruits, grasses, herbs, insects, and shrubs, and do not store food for later.

The Cape ground squirrel is not currently considered threatened overall. However, in some areas, it is seen as an agricultural pest and may be controlled using poison. This species inhabits protected areas, such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana and South Africa, and Etosha National Park in Namibia.

Ground squirrels are burrowing animals

Ground squirrels are rodents of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) that generally live on the ground or in burrows. They are highly variable in size, with some growing to nearly 30 inches (76 cm) and weighing up to 24 pounds (11 kg). They are known for their burrowing behaviour and intricate tunnel systems with multiple entrances, which they use to escape predators and protect themselves from extreme temperatures.

Ground squirrels are social animals that often live in colonies with complex social structures. They are diurnal and spend about one-third of their time standing watch for predators. When threatened, they emit high-pitched warning calls to alert others in their colony. They also engage in mobbing behaviour, where multiple squirrels will rush at the predator while using their bushy tails for protection.

Ground squirrels are omnivorous and have a diet rich in fungi, nuts, fruits, seeds, insects, eggs, and small animals. They do not hoard food, so they forage daily. They are also known to invade residential areas with open grassy areas, sometimes causing damage to plants, trees, and irrigation lines.

Ground squirrels are native to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa. In Africa, they are commonly known as Xerus and are native to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and parts of Angola. They prefer to live in arid or semi-arid areas with hard ground, such as grasslands and deserts.

Ground squirrels do not hibernate

Angola is a biologically diverse nation in southwestern Africa, home to approximately 291 mammals, 117 amphibians, 278 reptiles, and 983 bird species. Some of the common mammals found in Angola include giant otter shrews, Congo golden moles, aardvarks, red-tailed monkeys, plains zebra, Beecroft's flying squirrels, antelopes, and hedgehogs.

Beecroft's flying squirrels are indigenous to Angola, but what about ground squirrels? Do they hibernate?

Ground squirrels are herbivores, and their diet changes seasonally. They feed on fresh, green grass and herbaceous plants in the spring and grains, nuts, and seeds during the winter or drought periods when food is scarce. They store food in their burrows to ensure they have enough for the winter.

Ground squirrels are known to be very social and live in colonies of 2-20 (or more) animals. They spend much of their time foraging for food near their burrows, resting with other squirrels in their colonies, and breeding during late winter.

Ground squirrels are diurnal

Ground squirrels are native to Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas, and have been introduced to Australia. They are well-adapted for digging, with good claws and small ears set lower on their heads than those of tree squirrels. They have short, sleek fur and strong claws, and are social animals, living in small colonies.

Ground squirrels are not known to hide food, instead going out hunting for food daily. They do not live in trees, instead creating habitats in burrows in the desert. They are very social and live in groups, with mature males forming their own groups of around 20 members, and females living in groups of one to four with their babies, known as pups.

Frequently asked questions