263. Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus French: Ecureuil de Gambie / German: GraufuRsonnenhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla sol de Gambia Taxonomy. Sciurus gambianus Ogilby, 1835, “Gambia.” Sixteen subspecies are recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. H.g.gambianusOgilby,1835—GambiatoWNigeria. H.g.abassensisNeumann,1902—SenegaltoSudan,NUgandaandEKenya,SthroughCCameroonandDRCongotoAngolaandNZambia. H.g.bongensisHeuglin,1877—CentralAfricanRepublictoSudan. H.g.canasterThomas&Hinton,1923—foothillsofMarraMts,WSudan. H.g.dysoniSt.Leger,1937—WofLakeTurkanainKenya. H.g.elegansThomas,1909—MtElgon,WKenya,andNUganda. H.g.hoogstraaliSetzer,1954—Torit,Ikotos,andObbo,SouthSudan. H.g.kaffensisNeumann,1902—Andracha,SWEthiopia. H.g.laterisThomas,1909—WhiteNile,Sudan. H.g.limbatusSchwarz,1915—CentralAfricanRepublicandCameroon. H.g.loandicusThomas,1923—NAngolaandSDRCongo. H.g.madogaeHeller,1911—SouthSudanandUganda. H.g.multicolorRiippell,1835—Eritrea,WEthiopia,andKenya(WofLakeTurkana). H.g.omensisThomas,1909—lowerOmoRiver,Kenya. H.g.rhodesiaeWroughton,1907—NEAngola,Zambia,andextremeSWTanzania(UfipaMts). H. g. senescens Thomas, 1909 — coastal S Senegal and Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 217-7 mm (males) and 204 mm (females), tail mean 239-9 mm (males) and 230-3 mm (females); weight mean 245 g (males) and 328-6 g (females). The Gambian Sun Squirrel is highly variable in pelage color among populationsin its disjunct distribution. Dorsal pelage is buff or honey-yellow, speckled with black to appear grizzled due to gray, gray-brown, or tan and black banding patterns on hairs. White to cream eye ring varies from faint to conspicuous. Underside is white or light gray, and feet are white to buff. Tail is impressive and longer than body and ringed black and buff to black tip with white to cream frosting. Subspecies are poorly defined and in need of revision, with most assigned based upon few specimens and minor color variations related mostly on locality. Habitat. Dense forests with tall trees, mature woodland savannas, rainforests, and dense thickets and woodlands near permanent water sources. The Gambian Sun Squirrel is able to persist in areas with modest disturbance including forested farmlands, palm plantations, and fire adapted savannas. Food and Feeding. The Gambian Sun Squirrel is an opportunistic omnivore that feeds heavily on fruits, seeds, and acacia pods but will also eat insects, beetles, eggs, nestling birds, and lizards. Breeding. Breeding of the Gambian Sun Squirrel likely occurs in July-August and December—January. Litters have 1-5 young, born in cavity nests. Activity patterns. The Gambian Sun Squirrel is diurnal and emerges from tree cavity nests early each day and remains active until dusk. Nests are lined with shredded bark and leaves. It forages high in the canopy and is quite agile in its arboreal habitat, especially for a large squirrel. It is equally adept foraging and feeding on the ground. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Gambian Sun Squirrels are solitary except for females with young. Several vocalizations are emitted; a series of long “ker... ker” sounds are used when alarmed, but a halfssecond trill and chatter are also used. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Gambian Ground Squirrel is widespread, presumably has large populations, and occurs in protected areas. No data are available on population trends, but no particular threats have been identified. It is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Bibliography. Delany (1975), Happold (1987 2013d), Kingdon (1974), Nowak (1999a), Rosevear (1969), Setzer (1954), Thorington et al. (2012), Watson (1975).

Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, pp. 648-837 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 827, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6840226