240 Paraxerus luciferoccur in the Mafi nga Hills and Makutu Mountains (north-
eastern Zambia), but sightings have not yet been reported.
geographic variation: None.
conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population
trend—no information.
habitat: P. lucifer inhabits montane tropical moist forests
with abundant annual rainfall.
natural history: The black-and-red bush squirrel is
known only from a few reports and museum specimens,
resulting in a dearth of knowledge about its natural his-
tory. This species is diurnal and arboreal. It is omnivorous—
consuming fruits, nuts, vegetable matter, termites, and ants—
and it probably descends to the ground to forage. Individuals
vocalize frequently, emitting a loud and characteristic call.
Females appear to reproduce seasonally, in quick succes-
sion. A single female caught in September was both preg-
nant and lactating, while eight females examined in March
and April were not reproductively active, suggesting that P.
lucifer may breed through the summer and/or fall. The
black-and-red bush squirrel is a host to Libyastus fl eas.general references: Ansell 1978; Ansell and Ansell 1973;
Ansell and Dowsett 1988; Kingdon 1974, 1997.Paraxerus ochraceus (Huet, 1880)
Ochre Bush Squirreldescription: The ochre bush squirrel is a medium-sized
animal, characterized by its yellow brown coat and faintly
ringed tail. Some subspecies have a light-colored stripe
along the sides of the body. The dorsal pelage is grizzled and
varies in color geographically, ranging from a pale yellow or
ochre to a dark olive. The ventral pelage is pure ivory to yel-
low. There is a single pale stripe above and below the eyes.
The long tail is marked with irregularly scattered black andParaxerus lucifer. Photo courtesy William T. Stanley.