habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
This species has been recorded from a variety of habitat types including dry or moist evergreen forests, woodlands, riverine forest and thickets with an understorey of leafy vegetation (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). They do not occur in savannah woodlands unlike Tree Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi). Logging followed by coppice regeneration provides suitable habitat (Skinner & Chimimba 2005), although there is no formal evidence that they utilise secondary habitats within the assessment region. They obtain their moisture from the fleshy fruits they eat or from dripping water on leaves and branches or water trapped in holes on trees (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). They are arboreal and diurnal. Generally solitary, but members of a nesting group will be within vocal contact distance. The female is the focal point of the group, whose males may change from time to time (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). The species has one or two litters annually of one or two young.Fruit trees are focal points of activity as their diet is comprised primarily of wild fruits, nuts, and berries, with small amounts of roots, leaves, flower buds, bark, lichen and insects. A study from Ongoye Forest Reserve and Mkwankwa forests revealed male home ranges to be 3.2â4.2 ha and females to be 1.2â2.2 ha, with maximum dispersal distance of 1,065â1,142 m and 685â699 m for males and females, respectively (Viljoen 1980). It is a locally abundant and conspicuous species, due largely to its habit of tail-flicking and staccato calling when perturbed (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).
Ecosystem and cultural services: It is possible that it provides seed dispersal services, much like Samango Monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis) (Linden et al. 2015), although no formal studies have evaluated this. It has the potential to be a flagship species of KwaZulu-Natal forests and biodiversity stewardship schemes.
