220 Funisciurus leucogenysblack hairs and tipped with orange toward the tail. The
sides of the animal feature light orange brown stripes,
which are faintly disrupted into spots toward the tail. Indi-
viduals vary highly in color between localities.
size: Averages for this species are as follows:
Female—HB 206.7 mm (n = 10); T 147.2 mm (n = 10); Mass
251.9 g (n = 7).
Male—HB 204.4 mm (n = 8); T 148.8 mm (n = 11); Mass
271.4 g (n = 5).
Sex not stated—HB 192.5 mm (n = 2); T 165.0 mm (n = 2);
Mass 250.0 g (n = 2).
Subspecies have also been noted as ranging in size:
F. l. leucogenys—HB 195 mm (185–202 mm); T 174 mm
(160–183 mm).
F. l. auriculatus—HB 224 mm (213–240 mm); T 174 mm
(151–200 mm).
F. l. oliviae—HB 194 mm (170–215 mm); T 152 mm (133–
200 mm).
distribution: This species is found in southeastern Ghana,
southern Togo, Benin, Nigeria, central Cameroon, south-
western Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.
geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.
F. l. leucogenys—island of Fernando Po (= Bioko Island, Equa-
torial Guinea). This species is characterized by a pure
white belly and pale lateral stripes.
F. l. auriculatus—reported from the Benito River in Equato-
rial Guinea (15 mi from the river mouth), and also from
Mussaka (on the lower Mungo River, east of Mount Cam-
eroon) in Cameroon. This form has a unique whitish
gray coloration on the neck and shoulders. The venter is
partially or entirely orange, and the lateral stripes clearly
change into seven rows of light spots toward the neck.
The black ear hairs are denser and longer than on the
other subspecies.
F. l. oliviae—patches from southeast Nigeria into Cameroon.
This is the most widely distributed subspecies. These
squirrels have a red crown and neck pelage, a dark patch
of hair behind each ear, and an orange belly.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information.habitat: The red-cheeked rope squirrel favors the valleys
of westward-draining rivers among primary and secondary
lowland and montane tropical rainforests. It tolerates mild
disturbance within its habitat and lives within plantations
greater than 2 ha, as well as in dense forest fringes.natural history: The red-cheeked rope squirrel is a ter-
restrial animal that forages on fruits and grains. It moves
among a broad vertical assortment of microhabitats as it for-
ages, ranging from shorelines and rocky ground to palms
and forest trees. The squirrels nest in thick bush and in hol-
lows within tree trunks and roots. Nests are lined with
grass and dry leaves, and they have multiple entrances. Fe-
males appear to be in estrus continuously and can give birth
every two to three months. Only one pregnant female has
been documented in the wild, and she was carrying a singleFunisciurus leucogenys. Photo courtesy Nik Borrow.