Xerinae
Encyclopedia
Xerinae is a subfamily of squirrel
s, many of which are highly terrestrial. It includes the tribes Marmotini (marmots, chipmunk
s, prairie dogs, and other Holarctic
ground squirrels), Xerini (African and some Eurasian ground squirrels), and Protoxerini
(African tree squirrels).
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
s, many of which are highly terrestrial. It includes the tribes Marmotini (marmots, chipmunk
Chipmunk
Chipmunks are small striped squirrels native to North America and Asia. They are usually classed either as a single genus with three subgenera, or as three genera.-Etymology and taxonomy:...
s, prairie dogs, and other Holarctic
Holarctic
The Holarctic ecozone refers to the habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world as a whole. This region is divided into the Palearctic, consisting of Northern Africa and all of Eurasia, with the exception of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and the Nearctic,...
ground squirrels), Xerini (African and some Eurasian ground squirrels), and Protoxerini
Protoxerini
Protoxerini is a tribe of squirrels found in Africa. There are thirty species in six genera.-Genera:Epixerus Funisciurus Heliosciurus Myosciurus Paraxerus...
(African tree squirrels).