Anomalurus derbianus (Gray, 1842)

Lord Derby's Scaly-tailed Squirrel

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Rebecca V. Normile, University of Michigan
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Normile, R. 1999. "Anomalurus derbianus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Anomalurus_derbianus.html. 

 

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 (Grzimek, 1990) (Nowak, 1991) (Rosevear, 1969).

 
"Anomalurus derbianus (Gray, 1842)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/314302". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.