Squirrels of the World

Paraxerus lucifer 239

is highlighted with ochre. The feet and ventral pelage are
whitish, and the cheeks are marked by two white bands
stretching above and below the eyes, from the nose region
to the bottom of the ear. The long tail increases in thickness
and is ringed black and white toward the distal tip.

size: Female—HB 170.6 mm (n = 8); T 163.0 mm (n = 6).
Male—HB 167.8 mm (n = 8); T 157.4 mm (n = 8).
Sex not stated—HB 179.0 mm (n = 1); T 158.0 mm (n = 2).

distribution: This species is found along the coast of East
Africa, from southern Kenya through eastern Tanzania, Ma-
lawi, and Mozambique.

geographic variation: Four subspecies are recognized.
Records for Malawi are identifi ed only at the species level.

P. f. fl avovittis—around Cabaceira (eastern Mozambique).
See description above.
P. f. exgeanus—southeast Tanzania. It has a shorter and nar-
rower (5 mm wide) lateral stripe.
P. f. ibeanus—southeast Tanzania. This subspecies has
fainter facial stripes, and shorter and broader side stripes.
P. f. mossambicus—Mossimboa (= Mocimboa), in northeast-

ern Mozambique. The lateral stripes on these individuals

are white or ivory colored, framed by a uniformly dark

pelage. The crown and the back of the head are purely

dark gray; the dorsal pelage is dark olive brown.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: P. fl avovittis lives in savannas, forests, and thick-

ets, especially those with hardwood trees that feature suit-

able nesting holes. It is also present in cultivated lands and

prefers groves of sugar plum (Uapaca).

natural history: Striped bush squirrels are diurnal and

arboreal. They are omnivorous, foraging on the ground

and in the tree canopy for fruits, seeds, buds, leaves, roots,

and some animal matter. They also consume millet and

other cultivated grains. Although little is known about this

species, individuals are thought to socialize mostly in pairs.

Females give birth from March to September, and they live

independently to raise their young in nests of fi bers and

grass within the hollows of trees.

general references: Hinton 1920; Kingdon 1974, 1997.

Paraxerus lucifer (Thomas, 1897)

Black-and-Red Bush Squirrel

description: The black-and-red bush squirrel is a large

animal, distinguished by its rufous coat and a black spot on

its back. The long thick dorsal pelage is bright rufous or

russet colored, and some individuals feature a prominent

reddish black patch in the center of the back. The tail, the

fl anks, the feet, the crown of the head, the cheeks, and the

chin are also bright rufous. The ventral pelage, the throat,

and the chest are light gray.

size: Female—HB 230.8 mm (n = 6); T 197.2 mm (n = 6); Mass

680.4 g (n = 1).

Male—HB 228.7 mm (n = 7); T 198.0 mm (n = 6); Mass

680.2 g (n = 2).

Sex not stated—HB 243.8 mm (n = 6); T 197.5 mm (n = 6);

Mass 685.0 g (n = 1).

distribution: The black-and-red bush squirrel is endemic

to eastcentral Africa. It is found in montane habitats, at eleva-

tions above 2000 m, in the Poroto Mountains and the Nkuka

Forest (southwestern Tanzania), and in the Misuku Hills

and Nyika Plateau (northern Malawi). This species may also

Paraxerus flavovittis. Photo courtesy David den Ouden, www
.wildlifespotting.com.