xerus

[ zeer-uhs ]

noun

1. an African ground squirrel of the genus Xerus, having spiny fur, very short ears, and a long tail, and including the species X. rutilus of northeastern Africa and X. erythropus of western and central Africa.

Word History and Origins

Origin of xerus¹

< New Latin (1833), apparently < Greek xērós dry, perhaps in reference to its rough fur