Gundi

(Ctenodactylus gundi)


Facts

Gundi IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

 

Facts about this animal

The gundi is a guinea pig-sized rodent with a head-body length of 16-20 cm and a short tail of 1-2 cm. Body weight averages 175 g. The upper parts are buff-coloured, occasionally pinkish-buff, and the underparts are paler, usually whitish or slaty.

 

Characteristic for the gundi, as for other members of the Ctenodactylidae family, is that the two inner toes of the hind-foot are furnished with a horny comb and bristles for the purpose of cleaning the fur.

 

Gundis are diurnal rodents that inhabit semi-desert regions of northern Africa. They shelter in crevices within rock outcrops and live in varying sized family groups. In the wild, the majority of groups, which range in size from 3 to 23 individuals, contain multiple adult males.

 

Female gundis have two pairs of teats. They produce one litter of about three young per year, usually between February and June. The newborn weigh about 20 g and are completely furred. They are capable of feeding by themselves but after a few days, but usually nurse for several weeks. Full size and sexual maturiuty are reached between 9 and 12 months.

Did you know?
That the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which now is known to be carried by about one third of the World's human population, and which may cause abortion or damage to the brain or the eyes of the unborn child, was discovered for the first time 1908 in Tunesia as a parasite in the gundi?


 

Factsheet
Class MAMMALIA
Order RODENTIA
Suborder HYSTRICOMORPHA
Family CTENODACTYLIDAE
Name (Scientific) Ctenodactylus gundi
Name (English) Gundi
Name (French) Goundi de l'Atlas
Name (German) Gundi
Name (Spanish) Gundi
CITES Status Not listed
CMS Status Not listed

 

 

Photo Copyright by
BS Thurner Hof

Distribution

 


Distribution
Range Nothern Africa
Habitat Rock desert
Wild population Fairly common species, which is relatively well known (there is ongoing research in the region) and widespread. There are no major threats at present and no reason to believe that this species is threatened (IUCN Red list)
Zoo population 8 reported to ISIS (2006) but this species is also kept as pet by privat owners

In the Zoo

Gundi

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 79 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

Find this animal on ZooLex

 

Photo Copyright by
Zoo Düsseldorf

Why do zoos keep this animal

The gundi is an attractive rodent species, which is of educational interest, because it is the species in which the disease agent Toxoplasma gondii was discovered.