habitat_narrative

Terrestrial

Occurs in montane grasslands on xeric or mesic soils, either dry or wet typically amidst piles of loose stones or boulders, both natural and man-made (for example, stone walls). It does not occur in modified habitats, but will sometimes nest in crevices in rock foundations of roads (Willan 1990). They are diurnal and feed on stems, leaves and floral parts of green plants. In the Sani Valley, O. sloggetti feeds on wetland grasses, sedges and herbaceous vegetation but avoid Helichrysum spp. (Schwaibold and Pillay 2010).

It lives in colonies consisting of at least 4-16 individuals and the breeding season occurs between October and March (Hinze 2005). For example, in the Sani Valley, O. sloggettii lives in mixed-sex colonies of up to 17 individuals (Hinze et al. 2013), which construct an intricate underground burrow system in organic and mineral soils (Hinze et al. 2006). Plants taken below ground are used for nesting and there is no evidence of food hoarding (Hinze et al. 2006). Suitable wetland sites in the Sani Valley are home to several colonies and competition for preferred food plants leads to solitary feeding and avoidance between individuals of the same and different colonies (Hinze et al. 2013). Rocky surfaces and boggy soil limits dispersal (Mokotjomela et al. 2010).

It may be an important prey species for predators occurring at high-altitudes. Their extensive burrow systems s contributes to soil turnover and aeration. However, when burrows collapse, the resulting gullies alter water flow, contributing to erosion (Grab and Deschamps 2004).