Mammals of the East Usambara Mountains

While the mammals that occur in the East Usambara mountains are not as large or as diverse as those of the Serengeti plains, there are many unique and peculiar species. The number of mammal species, from the smallest shrew to the largest bushpig, is close to 60.

Some common mammals that one is likely to see:

• Angola pied colobus Colobus angolensis
• Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis
• Yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus
• Zanj sun squirrel Heliosciurus undulatus
• Tanganyika mountain squirrel Paraxerus lucifer
• Red-bellied coast squirrel P. palliatus
• Lord Derby’s Anomalure Anomalurus derbianus
• Black and rufous elephant shrew Rhynchocyon petersi
• Giant pouched rat Cricetomys gambianus

Smaller rodents, shrews and bats are common throughout the forest. These are harder to locate, but they leave their tell-tale signs on seeds (rodents) or fruits (bats) that they feed on.

Poster by: N.J. Cordeiro
© East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme (EUCAMP) / Amani Nature Reserve

At night, the calls of the fruit-eating small-eared galago (Otolemur garnettii) are the most revealing forest sounds (above). Illustration: S. Valentine	Unlike its larger relative, the Usambara galago (Galagoides species), is harder too see. It has a loud screeching alarm call that immediately alerts one to its whereabouts in the forest canopy. Illustration: S. Valentine
	Blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) are fairly common in Amani Nature Reserve. Troops of them visit the Amani guesthouse, feeding in the trees on fruits, flower buds or young leaves. Their greatest enemy, apart from humans, is the crowned eagle Stephanoatus coronatus, which is reputed to be a stealthy hunter. Illustration: S. Valentine
Rodents come in all sizes and are quite numerous here. Above is a photograph of an uncommonly observed species. The African dormouse (Graphiurus murinus) is mouse-size and easily climbs trees. Photo: N.J. Cordeiro