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African bush squirrel

The African bush squirrels are a genus, Paraxerus, squirrels of the subfamily Xerinae. They are only found in Africa.

There are 11 species in this genus:

• Alexander's Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus alexandri
• Boehm's Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus boehmi
• Smith's Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus cepapi
• Cooper's Mountain Squirrel, Paraxerus cooperi
• Striped Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus flavovittis
• Black and Red Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus lucifer
• Ochre Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus ochraceus
• Red Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus palliatus
• Green Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus poensis
• Swynnerton's Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus vexillarius
• Vincent's Bush Squirrel, Paraxerus vincenti
  
• The total length is 350 mm, half of which is tail. This species only weighs 200 grams. The coat colour varies throughout the region. In the western and arid parts of its range it is pale grey, and in the eastern localities more brown. Head and legs are a rusty colour. Colouration on the chest varies from yellowish to buffy in the east, to white in the west. The Tree Squirrels' bellies are white. These alert and ever busy creatures carry their long tails extended backwards.
  
• Primarily vegetarian, but like most rodents will take insect prey. Tree squirrels use their forefeet to manipulate food items when feeding. They scatter-hoard seeds next to tree trunks or grass tufts, thereby facilitating tree regeneration.
  
• Essentially arboreal animals, but spend a great deal of time on the ground, foraging for food. When disturbed, Tree Squirrels will always seek the refuge of trees. During the night, territorial family groups nest together in holes in trees. Offspring become sexually mature between six to nine months, at which stage they are forcibly evicted by the breeding pair. The males are mainly responsible for territorial defense, although females will also chase intruders when she cares for dependent pups.
  
• The southern limit of this rodent’s distribution, extends into the woodland savanna regions of North Western, Northern and Mpumalanga Provinces, and from here eastwards to Swaziland and Mozambique
  
   African bush squirrel
  
   African bush squirrels
  
   African bush squirrel
  
   African bush squirrel