The Mohave ground squirrel’s burrows are typically about 1 meter deep and 5.5 meters long. There are three common squirrels in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert: the rock squirrel, the round-tailed ground squirrel, and Harris’ antelope ground squirrel. Sometimes they climb shrubs to search food. Survival Adaptations: The squirrels have sophisticated survival skills that allow them to survive in their environment. Survival Adaptations. Feeding Habits. They are highly social, although not cooperative in nature, and can live in groups of up to 36 individuals (which is the largest group we have seen at the site). 6. These squirrels occupy three different types of burrow: a home burrow for sleeping in during its active periods, an accessory burrow for thermoregulation and social interactions and an aestivation burrow, where for six or seven months it is in hibernation. Burrowing Some squirrels inhabit areas with such extreme winter climates that hibernation is the only way they can survive. They would never meet in nature. Habitat. It is found in dry grassland habitats in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. This herbivorous creature feeds on shrubs and grasses. Bring your own beer. 18. Ground squirrels are excellent climbers and they often climb up the trees when the predator is on the ground. What Time of the Year Do Squirrels Come Out? The claws also serve as a defense mechanism to protect themselves and their young when they are threatened or attacked. It measures 450 mm in length and weighs up to 1 kg. Most ground squirrels make habitats in the ground rather than on the ground. Life Cycle. Of course, you can’t picture deserts without camels. Image source. Ground squirrels live in underground burrows which they dig with their sharp claws. Survival Adaptations. They are also found in the Kalahari Desert, which has an elevation of 600 to 1200 m. Cape ground squirrels live in burrows, which protect them from extreme weather conditions as well as from predation. Species Description. Many animals avoid heat by burrowing, hiding or aestivating. The desert is a huge, wide open space, meaning there isn’t much respite from the baking sun. Some animals cool off under the shade of a large cactus or rock. Image source. Their burrows are used by meerkats and yellow mongooses as protection from predators and from cold temperatures. A ground squirrel has a bushy tail to balance ,it has long claws for gripping which helps it to climb . The Sahara's more than 3 million square miles of desert covers almost the entire northern region of Africa. It has sharp teeth for opening nuts and it's claws are also used for protection from enemies. Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) living in Alaska are one such example, and they sometimes hibernate for up to eight months. They prefer dry environments, such as savannas and grasslands. The Cape Ground Squirrel, native to Africa, uses its bushy tail as a parasol, bringing shade wherever it goes. Its bushy tail acts like a patio umbrella, so this is the best creature to have a beer with in the desert. Desert biome animals exhibit a range of adaptations to survive. Mohave ground squirrel. They prefer to live in velds and grasslands with hard ground. This is an entirely different type of squirrel altogether. Antelope ground squirrels are found in the desert regions of the American southwest and have the ability to survive with a core body temperature of 104F. They make subterranean burrows in rocks, logs, and under trees. Cape ground Squirrels. Her co-authors, Beth Pettitt and Mary Beth Manjerovic, research reproductive delay in female ground squirrels and mating strategies in males respectively. In Africa, the Cape Ground Squirrel has a better idea: it takes shade with it wherever it goes. I saw quite a few white tailed antelope ground squirrels when we here hiking in the parks of Nevada and they looked happy as heck in the heat! The answer is no. The Cape Ground Squirrel is a rodent endemic to South Africa. For many desert animals, seeking shade is paramount to survival. It has large shifting sand dunes and barren rocky plateaus. The fan-tailed raven is a member of the crow family. The desert fox, also called a fennec, occurs in Africa and coyotes in the Americas. It spreads throughout countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.