Red Bush Squirrel
Paraxerus palliatus
Silhouette: Joseph Smit · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderRodentia (Rodents)
- FamilySciuridae (Squirrels)
- GenusParaxerus (Bush Squirrels)
- SpeciesParaxerus palliatus (Red Bush Squirrel)
About the Red Bush Squirrel
The red bush squirrel or red-bellied coast squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, which is found in bush and forest along the eastern seaboard of Africa. It is closely related to P. lucifer, P. vexillarius and P. (p.) vincenti.
It is native to Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
The southernmost subspecies, P. p. ornatus, is endemic to oNgoye Forest in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. P. p. swynnertoni is endemic to Chirinda Forest in eastern Zimbabwe, and P. (p.) vincenti at Mount Namuli is sometimes deemed a full species. The species is smaller (and weighs less) with more rufous pelage in dry forest, and larger and darker in moist forest. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Red Bush Squirrel in Tsavo East National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Tsavo East National Park
Ochre Bush Squirrel
Paraxerus ochraceus
Unstriped Ground Squirrel
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Zanj Sun Squirrel
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Wilson's Spiny Mouse
Acomys wilsoni
Naked Mole Rat
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East African Gerbil
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Nairobi Grass Rat
Arvicanthis nairobae
Woodland Dormouse
Graphiurus murinus
Kellen's Dormouse
Graphiurus kelleni
Harrington's Gerbil
Taterillus emini
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Tsavo East National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 3 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 4 | Arusha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Red Bush Squirrel in Tsavo East National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Red Bush Squirrel sighting in Tsavo East National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Red Bush Squirrel in Tsavo East National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Red Bush Squirrel in Tsavo East National Park in our monthly data.