Alexander's bush squirrel

Alexander's bush squirrel, Paraxerus alexandri, is a very small tree squirrel of the forests of central Africa. It lives in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in eastern Uganda, with a total area of occupancy of about 387,450 square kilometres between the White Nile and the Lualaba River, at elevations from about 500 to 1,500 metres. It is arboreal and favours tropical moist forest, especially undisturbed mature stands. Adults measure about 100 millimetres in head and body length with a tail of about 110 millimetres and weigh only 40 to 70 grams. The grizzled fur of yellow, grey and black gives a greenish-brown impression, and a broad tawny orange band runs from the head to the rump, edged by thin black and creamy-white lines. A white eye-ring and white-fringed ears complete the pattern. The species is common and widespread, occurs in several protected areas and is assessed as Least Concern, with only some habitat loss from forest clearance for agriculture noted. Its common and scientific names honour Lieutenant Boyd Alexander, a British Army officer, explorer and ornithologist.