Red-legged sun squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-legged sun squirrel |
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Heliosciurus
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| Species: |
rufobrachium
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The red-legged sun squirrel (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) is a type of rodent in the Sciuridae family, which includes squirrels. It is also known as the isabelline red-legged sun squirrel. This squirrel lives in tropical parts of western and central Africa. Its home stretches from Senegal in the west to Uganda and Tanzania in the east.
These squirrels live in moist lowland forests and wet savanna areas. They are quite common and spread out over a large area. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says they are a "least concern" species. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
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What Does the Red-Legged Sun Squirrel Look Like?
The red-legged sun squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel. Its body, from head to tail base, is about 24 centimeters (9.4 inches) long. On average, it weighs about 353 grams (12.5 ounces). Male squirrels are usually a little bigger than females.
These squirrels have large eyes and small, round ears. Their tail is about the same length as their head and body combined. Their fur is dark brown to gray over most of their body. However, their legs and snout are reddish, and their tail is black. Female squirrels have six teats, which are used for feeding their young.
Where Do Red-Legged Sun Squirrels Live?
Red-legged sun squirrels are found across Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Their range goes from Senegal and Gambia in the west to Kenya in the east. However, they do not live south of the Congo River.
They prefer places with large trees that they can climb. This includes moist primary forests (old, untouched forests) and secondary forests (forests that have regrown). You can also find them in tree plantations, single trees in savannas, and even gardens. They have even been seen in mangrove swamps in Sierra Leone.
Different Types of Red-Legged Sun Squirrels
Scientists recognize 21 different types, or subspecies, of the red-legged sun squirrel. Each subspecies might have slight differences in looks or where they live. Here are some of them:
- H. r. rufobrachium - Found on Bioko island
- H. r. arrhenii - Lives in Rwanda
- H. r. aubryi - Found in Gabon
- H. r. benga - Lives in Equatorial Guinea
- H. r. caurinus - Found in Gambia
- H. r. coenosus - Lives in western Democratic Republic of the Congo
- H. r. emissus - Found in northern Cameroon
- H. r. hardyi - Lives in Cote d'Ivoire
- H. r. isabellinus - Found in Nigeria
- H. r. keniae - Lives in western Kenya
- H. r. leakyi - Found in eastern Kenya
- H. r. leonensis - Lives in Sierra Leone
- H. r. lualabae - Found in central DRC
- H. r. maculatus - Lives in Ghana
- H. r. medjianus - Found in northeastern DRC
- H. r. nyansae - Lives in Uganda
- H. r. obfuscatus - Found in southern Nigeria
- H. r. occidentalis - Lives in Senegal
- H. r. pasha - Found in northern DRC
- H. r. rubricatus - Lives in central-eastern DRC
- H. r. semlikii - Found in eastern DRC
How Red-Legged Sun Squirrels Live and Eat
The red-legged sun squirrel is active during the day. It spends its time looking for food in the upper and middle parts of large trees. Their main diet includes fruits and seeds. They also eat some green plants and small insects or spiders. They spend a lot of time searching along branches and poking into cracks for insects and their larvae.
In special animal care facilities, these squirrels have been seen catching and eating birds. They also ate bird eggs.
Social Life and Reproduction
These squirrels are usually seen alone or in pairs. However, they seem to enjoy being with others. They have been observed grooming each other and resting close together.
They build their nests in holes found in tree trunks and branches. They line these nests with twigs that still have green leaves attached. Red-legged sun squirrels usually have babies twice a year. Each time, they typically give birth to two young squirrels.
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