It is generally believed that the Ground Squirrel uses its tail as shade when it forages during the heat of the day to reduce its body heat. Recent research has found that this does not decrease its body temperature, nor does it prevent its body temperature from rising and the researchers have suggested that raising the tail merely provides comfort during the heat of the day. The researchers, however, found that the body temperature of the Ground Squirrel dropped by between 1 and 2 °C when they emerge from their burrows after seeking to escape from the heat. The Afrikaans common name, Waaierstertmeerkat, refers to the tail which is whisked from side to side. Photo: Willie Olivier
