What environmental challenges characterize the Southern African niche of Geosciurus?

Answer

More extreme temperatures and pronounced arid conditions

The *Geosciurus* group occupies the Southern African niche, exemplified by species like the Cape ground squirrel (*Geosciurus capeyi*) found in semi-deserts and scrublands. The environments in this region present a unique and often harsher set of challenges compared to the East African savannas. Specifically, this territory is characterized by having more extreme temperature fluctuations, involving intense daytime heat coupled with cooler desert nights, alongside more pronounced arid conditions. Due to these environmental stresses, these squirrels are highly dependent on the stability of their underground homes, which function critically as thermoregulators, maintaining a more stable internal environment against the external extremes.

What environmental challenges characterize the Southern African niche of Geosciurus?

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