Real thorntail squirrels
| Real thorntail squirrels | ||||||||||||
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Beecroft's thorntail squirrel ( Anomalurus beecrofti ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Anomalous | ||||||||||||
| Waterhouse , 1843 |
The real thorntail squirrels ( Anomalurus ) are with four species the largest genus of the thorntail squirrels , a family of African, gliding rodents .
These are the typical representatives of the thorntail squirrels. They have head body lengths between 22 and 43 cm, plus 15 to 45 cm tail. The eponymous thorn-like scales on the underside of the tail are just as present as the sliding skin with which they sail from tree to tree. The claws are very sharp and offer a good grip when climbing vertically on tree trunks. Once they have reached a certain height, they can move to the next tree with the help of their gliding ability. A flight over 100 m has been confirmed for a Lord Derby thorntail squirrel, and unconfirmed reports even speak of 250 m. In most cases, however, much shorter distances should be sufficient to reach the next tree in the rainforest habitat.
Real gliding-tailed squirrels are nocturnal and sleep in tree hollows during the day. They feed on all sorts of plant materials (bark, fruits, flowers, leaves, nuts) and also on insects.
The four types are:
- Beecroft's thorntail squirrel , Anomalurus beecrofti , West and Central Africa
- Pel-thorntail squirrel , Anomalurus pelii , West Africa
- Lord Derby thorntail squirrel , Anomalurus derbianus , West, Central and East Africa
- Dwarf thorntail squirrel , Anomalurus pusillus , Central Africa
The Beecroft thorntail squirrel is sometimes assigned to its own genus, Anomalurops .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
