216 Funisciurus congicusformed by individual hairs that are black at the base with
alternating rings of buff and black, fi nished by a white-and-
buff tip. The squirrel holds its tail against its back, with the
last quarter curled. The pelage of the Congo rope squirrel
varies with location, so that animals living in arid areas
have lighter coats, and animals from more humid regions
have darker coats with more golden highlights. The light
and yellowish pelage of F. congicus makes it distinct from
other Funisciurus species, which are characteristically
darker and redder in coloration.
size: Female—HB 160.5 mm (n = 8); T 162.4 mm (n = 7).
Male—HB 173.6 mm (n = 5); T 160.6 mm (n = 5).
Sex not stated—HB 150.5 mm (n = 2); T 165.0 mm (n = 2);
Mass 111.2 g (n = 106).
distribution: This squirrel is found in the Democratic Re-
public of the Congo, Angola, and Namibia.
geographic variation: The subspecies that were origi-
nally described are no longer recognized, due to the signifi -
cant infl uence of temperature and rainfall on body size and
pelage coloration.
conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—stable.
habitat: The Congo rope squirrel inhabits coastal palm
groves, mopane forests (Colophospermum mopane, also re-
ferred to as Copaifera mopane), and tall trees along waterways
and projecting granite areas. This species prefers denser veg-
etation than the sympatric Paraxerus cepapi, and it can reach
densities of 12–18 individuals/ha in optimal habitat.natural history: Diurnal animals, these squirrels are ac-
tive from dawn (7:05–8:15 a.m., depending on whether the
sky is clear or overcast) until several hours before sunset
(6:00–6:50 p.m.). The squirrels are noticeably aff ected by the
temperature fl uctuations of the region. Their activity level is
highest on cold mornings, probably in an eff ort to produce
more body heat, whereas on hot days they shield their backs
from the sun with their tails, with the white side of the tail
face up to refl ect the heat. At night Congo rope squirrels
return to their nests, located in the junctions of tree branches
or in holes in the trees. Nests are made of small pieces of
vegetation, such as twigs, leaves, and grass. The animals
spend their days foraging in the canopy and on the ground,
in home ranges of 0.4–0.5 ha, although they prefer a low
canopy of less than 2.5 m. These squirrels are seasoned ac-
robats of the trees, fl eeing there if threatened; they then
move quickly and effi ciently through the branches to safety.
When they do run along the ground, they position their
tails above their backs, like question marks. Groups range
across 0.4–0.5 ha per day.
Congo rope squirrels are omnivores, but while they oc-
casionally consume mopane caterpillars (Gonimbrasia be-
lina), they most commonly eat seeds, fruits, stems, and
shoots. Favorites include mopane (Colophospermum mopane,
also referred to as Copaifera mopane), velvet commiphora
(Commiphora mollis), and Grewia bicolor. The squirrels are
preyed upon by snakes, mammalian carnivores, and hawks,
and they are parasitized by two species of ticks (Haemaphy-
salis and Rhipicephalus) and one species of fl ea (Libyastus
vates). These squirrels live in groups of up to four individu-
als, and they remain in constant contact through visual ob-
servation and repeated high-pitched “chirps.” They utilize
scent to recognize individuals, and they strengthen social
relationships by grooming one another. The animals emit
specialized alarm calls to warn group members of dangers.
For example, in response to a nearby raptor, an individual
will give a series of high-pitched whistles, to which group
members will respond by freezing. In the case of a ground
predator, the squirrel will “chirp” as it fl icks its tail. An en-
tire group can jointly discourage a predator by “chattering”
loudly from above while fl icking their tails. Females have
four nipples. Nothing is known about their reproductive
behavior.general references: Amtmann 1966, 1975; Shortridge
1934b; Smithers 1983; Viljoen 1978, 1997a.Funisciurus congicus. Photo courtesy Ian Merrill.