Common Gundi Ctenodactylus gundi

Gundis are stocky rodents a little larger than rats and are native to Northern Africa. They are also called Comb Rats as they have stiff hairs on their back feet used to comb sand out of their fur. The Common Gundi is native to rocky desert habitats of the southern slopes of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisa.

They huddle together on rocks or in crevices to keep warm in cold desert nights and winter. They have flexible ribs to squeeze in rock crevices when danger threatens. They live in communicative, cooperative groups but do not make a permanent den. They use a communal dung pile.

Like small, flat-eared Guinea Pigs, they have stumpy tails with a fan of hairs. They eat vegetation but, like many desert creatures, do not drink water, getting moisture from plants.

They climb well on near vertical rock faces. They are occasionally hunted by people for food.