THE CAPE GERBILLE 



THE CAPE GERBILLE 



(^Taterona afro) 



The Cape Gerbille was known to the Dutch Voor- 

 trekkers as the Duin Rat, or Nacht Muis. It is 

 commonly found amongst the sand dunes along 

 the coastline of the Cape Province. It also occurs 

 inland, being usually found in burrows amongst 

 scrubby herbage, brushwood and short grass. 



These Gerbilles are nocturnal, although on 

 cloudy days they may be seen abroad. 



The burrows are formed by a number of Ger- 

 billes, usually near or in the midst of brushwood and 

 scrub. These burrows are tunnelled in different 

 directions so as not to obstruct one another. For 

 the first foot or so from the surface of the ground 

 the hole is oblique. It then runs horizontally for 

 three or four yards. The various tunnels often 

 communicate with one another. This is highly 

 useful from a protective point of view, as it enables 

 the Gerbille to effect its escape from a burrow by 

 another exit should a snake enter in quest of it. 



A nest is made of soft grass at the extreme end 

 of one of the tunnels, and here the young are born 

 and reared. 



The fur of the Cape Gerbille on the back is 

 fawny-brown, intermixed with black hairs ; sides 

 lighter in colour owing to the absence .of black 

 hairs. Under parts, including the chin, pure 



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