Squirrels of the World

238 Paraxerus cooperi

with buff , grading to an olive green and golden coloration
toward the fl anks. The ventral pelage is medium gray with
yellow highlights. The forearms, the dorsal surfaces of the
forefeet, and the hindfeet are light rufous, and the thighs are
deep rufous. The squirrel’s overall pelage is long and soft.
The head is dark, and the lips and cheeks are golden. The
ears are sparsely covered with hairs tipped with yellow, and
they are darkly pigmented on the skin. The long tail is dark
golden green.

size: Male—HB 200.0 mm (n = 2); T 190.0 mm (n = 2).
Sex not stated—HB 195.0 mm (n = 2); T 190.0 mm (n = 1);
Mass 250.0 g (n = 2).

distribution: This species is endemic to forested montane
patches in Nigeria and Cameroon (north of the Sanaga
River). Sightings are reported from Mount Kupe, Mount
Oku, and the Rumpi Hills (southern Cameroon), as well as
from the Gotel Mountains (Nigeria).

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: Little is known about this species, but individuals

have been seen in montane tropical moist forest fragments

and fringes, at elevations above 1400 m.

natural history: Little information has been published

on Cooper’s mountain squirrel. This species is diurnal and

arboreal, and it may prefer to forage through the lower can-

opy. Individuals were reported to consume fl owers from the

guttiferaceous tree Pentadesma butyracea.

general references: Dowsett and Dowsett-Lemaire

1989; Eisentraut 1973, 1976; Rosevear 1969.

Paraxerus fl avovittis (Peters, 1852)

Striped Bush Squirrel

description: The striped bush squirrel is a medium-sized

squirrel, distinguished by its larger size and the pale and

dark stripes running along the sides of its body. The dorsal

pelage and head may vary in color individually or season-

ally, with the molt from red brown to olive brown, particu-

larly in populations through northern Mozambique. There

is a 10–mm yellow to white stripe and a more ventral dark

stripe on the side of the animal. The coat on the forelimbs,

shoulders, and (occasionally) the crown and the lumbar area

Paraxerus cooperi. Photo courtesy Jaap van der Waarde.

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