Squirrels of the World

Heliosciurus rufobrachium 227

Heliosciurus punctatus (Temminck, 1853)

Small Sun Squirrel

description: The small sun squirrel is a dark-colored ani-
mal, with a brown coat grizzled with buff on its back and
limbs. The ventral pelage is gray, and the thighs are dark
gray. The long slender tail is ringed with alternating dark
and pale-colored bands, and is lighter in color on the un-
derside. It is sympatric with H. rufobrachium in parts of its
range, but H. punctatus can be distinguished by its smaller
size and a lack of red on the limbs. This species diff ers
from H. gambianus in its distribution and its darker ventral
pelage.

size: Female—HB 184.8 mm (n = 28); T 207.0 mm (n = 28);
Mass 168.6 g (n = 28).
Male—HB 182.3 mm (n = 30); T 201.4 mm (n = 30); Mass
165.9 g (n = 28).
Sex not stated—HB 190.0 mm (n = 20); Mass: 174.3 g (n = 19).

distribution: The small sun squirrel is found in the
coastal countries of West Africa, from Sierra Leone through
Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. Its range may also extend
to Guinea, but this has not been confi rmed.

geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.

H. p. punctatus—coastal forested areas stretching from Libe-

ria to the Volta River in Ghana. The form is darker in

color.

H. p. savannius—inland savanna regions along Côte d’Ivoire.

This form is paler in color.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: The small sun squirrel prefers lowland primary

and secondary rainforests, as well as forest patches, savan-

nas, and open areas. H. punctatus may be able to live in heav-

ily disturbed agricultural areas, and it has been seen in farm

bush.

natural history: No information is available.

general references: Rosevear 1969.

Heliosciurus rufobrachium

(Waterhouse, 1842)

Red-Legged Sun Squirrel

description: The red-legged sun squirrel is a medium-

sized animal, characterized by its dark brown or grayish

coat, red-tinged legs, and thin tail banded with yellow and