Du Chaillu's rope squirrel
Species of rodent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Du Chaillu's rope squirrel (Funisciurus duchaillui) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.[2] It is endemic to parts of central Gabon,[1] within dense tropical rainforests,[2] where it was listed as extinct in 1952, but was then rediscovered in 1993.[3][4] The species is currently has a "Data Deficient" conservation status brought about by the IUCN Red List.[1] It was named after French zoologist, traveler, and anthropologist Paul Du Chaillu.[2]
| Du Chaillu's rope squirrel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Subfamily: | Xerinae |
| Tribe: | Protoxerini |
| Genus: | Funisciurus |
| Species: | F. duchaillui |
| Binomial name | |
| Funisciurus duchaillui Sanborn, 1953 | |
Description
Body on average reaches a length of 185–212 mm (7.3–8.3 in), with a 190–230 mm (7.5–9.1 in) long tail. Weight on average is around 195–205 g (6.9–7.2 oz). Olive-brown dorsum, with grey and white colorations around limbs. Four dark brown dorsal stripes spread down from its head, in a longitudinal manner. Banded hairs, that are green-yellow and have a black colored tip. Tail is a bright red-brown color, also with a black tip. Rarely seen in pairs.[2]
Diet
Du Chaillu's rope squirrel is known to feast upon the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica and any species from the genus Dialium.[2]
