Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to parts of central Gabon, within dense tropical rainforests, where it was listed as extinct in 1952, but was then rediscovered in 1993. The species is currently has a "Data Deficient" conservation status brought about by the IUCN Red List. It was named after French zoologist, traveler, and anthropologist Paul Du Chaillu.

Last revised
Jul 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
290 w
Citations
10
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Du Chaillu's rope squirrel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Placentalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Funisciurus
Species:
F. duchaillui
Binomial name
Funisciurus duchaillui
Sanborn, 1953

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel (Funisciurus duchaillui) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.2 It is endemic to parts of central Gabon,1 within dense tropical rainforests,2 where it was listed as extinct in 1952, but was then rediscovered in 1993.34 The species is currently has a "Data Deficient" conservation status brought about by the IUCN Red List.1 It was named after French zoologist, traveler, and anthropologist Paul Du Chaillu.2

Description

Body on average reaches a length of 185–212 mm (7.3–8.3 in), with a 190–230 mm (7.5–9.1 in) long tail. Weight on average is around 195–205 g (6.9–7.2 oz). Olive-brown dorsum, with grey and white colorations around limbs. Four dark brown dorsal stripes spread down from its head, in a longitudinal manner. Banded hairs, that are green-yellow and have a black colored tip. Tail is a bright red-brown color, also with a black tip. Rarely seen in pairs.2

Diet

Du Chaillu's rope squirrel is known to feast upon the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica and any species from the genus Dialium.2

References

References

  1. Gerrie, R.; Kennerley, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Funisciurus duchaillui". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T136461A115207982. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136461A22270411.en. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  2. "Funisciurus duchaillui Sanborn, 1953". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  3. Holmes, Branden. "Funisciurus duchaillui - The Recently Extinct Plants and Animals Database". recentlyextinctspecies.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  4. Brugière, David; Fleury, Marie-Claire; Colyn, Marc (2005). "Structure of the squirrel community in the Forêt des Abeilles, central Gabon: rediscovery and revalidation of Funisciurus duchaillui Sanborn, 1953". Mammalia. 69 (2): 223–231. doi:10.1515/mamm.2005.019. S2CID 85286644.