Heliosciurus undulatus (True, 1892)

Nomenclature and General Appearance

The Zanj sun squirrel, scientifically named Heliosciurus undulatus (True, 1892), is a large squirrel with a greyish tawny body and a long, ringed tail. The fur on the upper parts of the body, including the tail, is tawny grey, grizzled with grey bands; each individual hair ends in a white subterminal band.

Underpart Coloration

Its underside is whitish or pale rufous.

Head Coloration

The head shares a similar color with the dorsal fur, but has added rufous tints.

Tail Structure

The tail is long and slender, measuring 20% longer than the combined head and body length.

Tail Markings

It is marked with 10 to 14 black bands that alternate with pale bands.

Geographical Color Variation

This species shows geographical variation across its range: individuals found inland at higher elevations are the darkest and richest in color, individuals from the northern part of the range are paler, and southern populations are duller and greyer.

Body Measurements

The mean head-and-body length of the Zanj sun squirrel is 233 mm (9.2 in), and its mean tail length is 281 mm (11.1 in).

Species Distribution

This squirrel occurs in south-eastern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania, including the islands of Mafia and Unguja (the main island of Zanzibar), but not on Pemba Island.

Habitat and Elevation Range

Most records of the Zanj sun squirrel come from coastal forests and riverine gallery forest, but it has also been recorded on Mount Kilimanjaro at elevations below 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level.