Activity parameters relative to habitat in four southern African tree squirrels

Activity measurements were aimed at quantifying the most obvious interspecific differences. Analyses of variance were made on the parameters of tai If licking, grooming, movement, murmuring, time spent motionless and time spent feeding. The two species from open habitats, Paraxerus c. cepapi and Funisciurus congicus have a lower level of activity than the two subspecies from forested habitat, P. palliatus ornatus and P.p. tongensis. The former two species move less frequently and over shorter distances. The largest species P.p. ornatus is the most active. The two forest subspecies are more efficient in handling food and feeding. The two open habitat species allogroom more frequently than selfgroom when compared to the forest subspecies. This is related to a closer group structure.