GUNDI

any of about eight species of North African rodents of the family Ctenodactylidae (order Rodentia). Gundis live in dry, rocky country, among rock crevices, caves, and ledges. Stocky animals resembling guinea pigs, they are 16 to 24 cm (6.25 to 9.33 inches) long, not including the short, hairy tail. They have bristly combs on the inner two toes of each hind foot, which they use to groom their soft, usually pale fur. Little is known about the habits of gundis. Common gundis (Ctenodactylus), the best known, are shy, buff-coloured rodents that spend the hottest parts of the day under cover and emerge in the evening. They apparently feed only on plant material.