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Common Gundi

Gundis are rodents that live in the dry regions of Northern Africa. There are five species total, including today's animal the Common Gundi.

Common Gundis have very compact bodies, with short legs, tan fur, and very large eyes. They can grow to be 8in long-- making them roughly the size of a Guinea Pig.

These rodents live in colonies that can have over 100 members. The size of the group depends on the specific habitat and how great the food supply is, and they communicate through different chirps and foot stomps. Females give birth to two offspring at a time, who are fully weaned after 4 weeks. They have to grow fast because the food supply is so scarce that the mothers don't produce much milk.

Common Gundis feed on whatever plant matter they can find, but because they live in the desert they sometimes have to travel far to find it. These trips can take them more than half a mile from home, which is really far for such a little rodent. Because they don't store food very well they have to alternate eating and resting when they make these long foraging expeditions. The Gundis also do not drink water-- they get what they need from the plants they eat.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Northern Africa
Size : Length up to 8in (20cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Ctenodactylidae -- Genus : Ctenodactylus -- Species : C. gundi
Image : Salix
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