Tree Squirrel
Paraxerus cepapi
Tree Squirrel, an omnivore in African forests and urban parks.
| Scientific name | Paraxerus cepapi |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Kibokoboko wa mti |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Sciuridae |
| Size | Male: approximately 200-500 grams; Female: approximately 180-450 grams (varies slightly among species) |
How to identify
Small, agile body; tail is fluffy and long; fur color variable, commonly gray, reddish-brown, or black; front limbs have sharp claws adapted for climbing; large eyes suited for diurnal activity
Habitat
Forests, urban parks, orchards, and areas with dense trees
Diet
Omnivorous, mainly consuming nuts, seeds, fruits, tree bark, sometimes insects and bird eggs
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon
Where it lives
Widely distributed in woodlands and shrublands of sub-Saharan Africa, including East and South Africa; the Smith's bush squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi) is the most common arboreal squirrel in the region.
How to spot it
Observe quietly in tree-rich areas at dawn or dusk, pay attention to canopy activity, use binoculars to assist observation
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture climbing and foraging behavior, photograph in good lighting, choose natural backgrounds of leaves and branches
Threats
Habitat destruction, urban expansion, hunting, and competition with introduced species
Similar species
Ground squirrels (smaller body, shorter tail, terrestrial); flying squirrels (have a gliding membrane, nocturnal)
