Gambian sun squirrel
Graufußhörnchen in Gambia
The Graufußhörnchen ( Heliosciurus gambianus ) is a product from Africa squirrels of the genus Heliosciurus. It belongs to the tribe of the subfamily Protoxerini gophers. There are described several subspecies.
Features
The Graufußhörnchen has a head -body length of 15.5 to 21 cm, the tail length is 15.5 to 31 cm. The total length is thus 31-52 cm. It reaches a weight of 250-340 g yellow, brown and gray striped hair give the Graufußhörnchen an olive - brown speckled appearance. Throat, breast and belly are white. The tail is alternately ringed with black and light brown stripes and eyes are outlined in white.
The subspecies differ almost exclusively in color. In addition, the hair, especially the spinal Fells, the softer and longer each arboreal ( tree -dwelling ) for the subspecies.
Distribution and habitat
The Graufußhörnchen is widespread in sub-Saharan far in Africa. The range extends from Senegal and Gambia east across West Africa to Cameroon, southern Chad and the Central African Republic to the south Sudan with an isolated population in Jebel Marra, Ethiopia and Eritrea, with a southern extension to Uganda and northwestern Kenya. In its southern distribution area can be found the kind in Central Angola, Zambia, in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo and south-west Tanzania.
The Graufußhörnchen inhabited generally the wooded savannah, but also occurs in tropical lowland forests and savannah. The species is also found in agricultural landscapes, especially in palm oil plantations. In general, it is not found in closed forests. Its habitat extends to heights of 2000 m.
Way of life
Graufußhörnchen mainly live in trees, are diurnal and solitary. The food ranges from fruits and seeds to insects, birds' eggs and young birds. Typical behaviors are " sunbathing " on sunny branches and the lining of the nest each night with freshly picked leaves.
Stock
The Graufußhörnchen is not endangered, the species is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern ( LC).