|
Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel
Anomalurus derbianus are squirrel-like in form and have a head-body
length of 27-37.9 cm. Their tail is approximately 22-28.4
centimeters in length. The upper side of the tail is bushy with a
hairy tuft at the end. The fur is silvery-grey on its dorsal side,
with the ends of individual hairs brushed in white. The fur on the
belly is dense and completely white. These color markings blend well
against the background of a tree. Lord Derby's flying squirrels have
long whiskers, big pouch-like ears, and large eyes. Their digits are
well developed and they have strong claws. Anomalurus derbianus
possess a hairy gliding membrane that extends between the forelimbs
and the hind limbs and between the hind legs and the tail. This
membrane is heavily covered with hair on the top, and sparsely
covered on the underside. These scaly-tailed squirrels receive their
name from the presence of two rows of overlapping scales on the
underside of the tail near the base.
Reproduction
In West Africa, the main breeding season of A. derbianus seems to be
at the end of the rainy season. In East Africa, however, no definite
breeding season is apparent. Females, possessing one pair of teats,
have two litters of 1-3 young per year; the gestation period is
unknown. At birth, babies are large and completely covered with fur.
Their eyes are open, and they begin to move around soon after birth.
However, the young remain hidden in the nest until almost fully
grown. Offspring are fed by the parents, which bring back well
chewed up food in their mouths.
Behavior
Anomalurus derbianus are mainly crespuscular and nocturnal. They
sleep during the day in nests constructed in the holes of trees.
These scaly-tailed squirrels can live alone or in pairs; however,
several animals may inhabit the same tree. Lord Derby's flying
squirrels leave their retreats soon after sunset, gliding from a
high level in one tree to a lower level in another. These "flying"
rodents leap into the air with their arms, legs, and tail extended,
which stretches their membrane, allowing the animal to glide a
surprising distance. They do not actually fly. One incredible glide
of A. derbianus was seen to cover 100 meters, and another was
reported to have gone 250 meters! When a Lord Derby's flying
squirrel alights on a lower tree trunk, it thrusts the scales on the
underside of its tail into the bark of the tree, using them as an "antiskidding"
device. The scales are also used as an aid in climbing up the rough
bark of trees. Anomalurus derbianus do not come to the ground
voluntarily. The gliding membrane greatly restricts their
terrestrial mobility, and when intentionally placed on the ground,
they run away by hopping clumsily, like kangaroos. They also may
become quite aggressive, defending themselves with their sharp claws
and incisors.
Food Habits
Lord Derby's flying squirrels are herbivorous, eating a variety of
plant products such as bark, fruit, leaves, flowers, and green nuts.
Insects are sometimes included in the diet, but this is most likely
by accident.
In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse
mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat
bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate,
fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy
crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild
insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium
during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those
times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used
to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes
work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire
mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without
extra waste.
|
