Baby gundis born in Zagreb for the first time

(Photo: Zagreb Zoo)

Two baby gundis have been born at the Zagreb Zoo, marking the first time the species has been successfully born at the Croatian capital’s zoo.

The charming young rodents arrived last week and represent a milestone for the zoo, as they are the first gundis ever born in Zagreb, Zagreb Zoo said.

The pups’ parents arrived at the zoo from Austria last autumn. The female is one year old, while the male is two months older.

According to zoo director Ivan Cizelj, gundis typically give birth to two young at a time. The newborns are born fully furred and with their eyes already open.

“They are weaned within four weeks because, in their natural habitat, the mother produces only a small amount of milk. It is fascinating to observe these young animals up close. Ours are developing nicely and quickly,” Cizelj said.

In the wild, gundis inhabit parts of North Africa, including southeastern Morocco, northern Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

(Photo: Zagreb Zoo)

They typically live in desert environments with rocky outcrops, often settling among stone formations or rocky slopes on hills and mountains where they can hide and move between crevices.

At Zagreb Zoo, the animals have already adapted well to their enclosure in the Birds Pavilion.

Keeper Lorena Mičak explained that the gundis have reshaped their habitat to suit their needs, creating a burrow and small tunnel system where they can choose where to rest or explore.

“They are social and curious animals – both the adults and the babies. They often sit on the large rocks, but when they need rest they choose whichever spot feels most comfortable. The young have already begun nibbling solid food,” Mičak said.

One of the most unusual facts about gundis is that they do not drink water. Instead, they obtain nearly all the moisture they need from the plants they eat.

During extreme droughts, they feed at dawn when vegetation contains the most moisture.

Unlike many rodents, gundis do not store food, meaning they are constantly searching for fresh vegetation.

In colder conditions they conserve warmth by huddling closely together. Mothers also keep their young warm using the soft fur from the back of their neck.

(Photo: Zagreb Zoo)

Gundis are highly social animals and live in colonies whose size depends on the terrain and the availability of food.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the species is currently classified as Least Concern (LC).

Visitors can see the new arrivals at Zagreb Zoo, which is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, with last entry at 5 pm.