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- Heliosciurus undulatus True, 1892
Heliosciurus undulatus True, 1892
Order: Rodentia > Family: Sciuridae > Genus: Heliosciurus > Species: Heliosciurus undulatus True, 1892
Common Name: Zanj Sun Squirrel [English]
Type Description
Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 15:465.
Type Locality
Tanzania, Mt. Kilimanjaro. 'Male. Mount Kilima-Njaro, June 12, 1888. 6,000 feet (1800 m). Female. Kahé, south of Mount Kilima-Njaro, September 6, 1888.'
Measurements
Total length: 335-530 mm
Head and body: 200-254 mm Tail length: 210-300 mm
Hindfoot length: 45-63 mm
Ear length: 18-20 mm
Weight: 250-403 g
Head and body: 200-254 mm Tail length: 210-300 mm
Hindfoot length: 45-63 mm
Ear length: 18-20 mm
Weight: 250-403 g
Description
This squirrel was once thought to be a subspecies of Heliosciurus rufobrachium. It is a large form with a grizzled grey appearance on the back, due to the hairs being banded with black, orange and white. The ventral surface is paler. The feet and face have some light reddish hues to them. The tail is longer than the head and body, and is ringed (less than 15 bands).
Comparisons
Heliosciurus rufobrachium has a darker back (such that the pale undersurface is striking in contrast), redder feet, and greater than 15 bands on the tail.
Distribution
Preferring thickets, lowland and montane forests, this species is restricted east of the Gregory Rift from southeastern Kenya down to the River Rufiji in northeast Tanzania and also occurs on the islands of Mafia and Unguja. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997) Heliosciurus undulatus is found in forested habitats at both lower and upper elevations in northeastern Tanzania and on Mafia and Unguja.
Key References
1. Grubb, P. 1982. Systematics of sun-squirrels (Heliosciurus) in eastern Africa. Bonner Zoologische Beitrage 33: 191-204.
2. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:425-430.
3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 173.
4. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1246, 1281-1282.
5. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:425-430.
3. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 173.
4. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1246, 1281-1282.
5. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.