Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Anomaluridae
Genus:	Anomalurus
Species:	A. derbianus
Binomial name
Anomalurus derbianus (J. E. Gray, 1842)
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.
Synonyms
Anomalurus beldeni Anomalurus chrysophaenus Anomalurus cinereus Anomalurus erythronotus Anomalurus fraseri Anomalurus jacksoni Anomalurus neavei Anomalurus nigrensis Anomalurus orientalis Anomalurus squamicaudus

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

The Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus derbianus) is a special type of rodent that lives in Africa. It's known for its unique tail, which has scales on the underside. This amazing animal can glide through the air from tree to tree, just like a flying squirrel!

Meet Lord Derby's Scaly-Tailed Squirrel

This squirrel got its name from a person called Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. He was an important figure who lived a long time ago. The squirrel's scientific name is Anomalurus derbianus. It belongs to a group of animals called anomalurids, which are sometimes called "scaly-tailed squirrels."

Where Do They Live?

Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrels live in warm, wet places. They prefer tropical and subtropical rainforests. You can find them in many countries across western and central Africa. These include places like Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. They also live in Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, and Kenya. Other homes for them are Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Super Gliders of the Forest

These squirrels are incredible at moving through the forest. They have a special membrane (a flap of skin) that stretches between their front and back legs. When they want to move, they spread out this membrane. This allows them to glide from one tree to another. They can cover long distances in a single glide. Some glides have been measured at up to 250 meters (about 820 feet)!

They also have a secret climbing tool: the scales on the bottom of their tails. These scales help them grip tree trunks and branches. This makes them excellent climbers, even on slippery bark.

A Night Life

Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrels are nocturnal. This means they are most active at night. During the day, they rest and sleep. They usually make their nests inside holes in large trees. These squirrels often live alone, but sometimes you might find them living in pairs.

What's for Dinner?

These squirrels are mainly herbivorous. This means they eat plants. Their diet includes many different plant parts. They enjoy munching on leaves and tree bark. They also eat green nuts, tasty fruits, and colorful flowers.