African pygmy squirrel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Sciuridae |
Tribe: | Protoxerini |
Genus: | Myosciurus Thomas, 1909 |
Species: | M. pumilio
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Binomial name | |
Myosciurus pumilio (Le Conte, 1857)
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Range map of the African pygmy squirrel |
The African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is monotypic within the genus Myosciurus. It is found in tropical rainforests in Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.[2] It is not considered threatened, but likely declines locally due to habitat loss.[1] Together with the least pygmy squirrel of Asia, the African pygmy squirrel is the world's smallest squirrel measuring about 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) in total length and just 15–18 g (0.53–0.63 oz) in weight, which is less than a typical house mouse.[2]