Menetes berdmorei

Indochinese ground squirrel (Menetes berdmorei)

Phylum — chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — rodentia
Family — sciuridae

Genus – menetes

            Appearance           

The squirrel has a grey-brown back and a white belly. Most striking are stripes on the side - on each side one beige and below a black stripe. The head is pointy, so this squirrel resembles a mouse or a treeshrew.

Its length is 20 cm (7.9 in), not including the 15 cm (5.9 in) long tail.

Habitat

The Indochinese ground squirrel occurs in southern China (Yunnan province), Burma, Thailand (including the deep south), Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Behavior

It spends most of its time on the ground, although it can climb trees very well. On the outskirts of rice fields, among thickets of bamboo and tall grass with prickly shrubs, its population can strongly grow and cause damage to the crop. Some animals are active before sunset, when it`s hot, but it is still light.

Diet

The basis of the diet consists of seeds of tree species.

Reproduction

They make their nests in low tree hollows and in the ground shelters. They reproduce 2-3 times a year. The number of cubs can be up to 6, but usually no more than 4.

In captivity

Life expectancy in captivity is up to 7 years.              

Keeping in captivity is similar to other members of the sciuridae family.

The cage must be high and rectangular in shape. The two walls of the cage (back and side) should be covered with wood or coconut mats. The minimum size is 100x80x50cm (for a couple of animals).

Additional equipment: drinkers, feeders, houses, snags, branches, ropes, closed wheel for running, toys-suspensions for birds/rodents. All elements for games and recreation must be placed at the top of the cage. Litter fillers: wood pellets or sawdust.

You need to keep a pair of animals or the whole group.

The main diet consists of a complete feed for squirrels and fruits (cherry, peach, plum, mango, etc.), hercules, as well as cottage cheese/yogurt/eggs, insects (live, dried, canned), limited: dried fruits, nuts, seeds. At the same time, the animal should always have access to fresh drinking water. You should also place mineral and salt stones in the cell, which help to fill the lack of salts and minerals in the body. Sometimes you can treat your pet with special treats.

Feed and change the water in the drinker daily.

Once a week, clean the cage: change the bedding and wash the cage. Once a month complete disinfection of the animals' homes is carried out.

 

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