Gambian Sun Squirrel vs Splendid Waxcap

Heliosciurus gambianus compared with Hygrocybe splendidissima

Key Differences

• Gambian Sun Squirrel is Least Concern while Splendid Waxcap is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gambian Sun Squirrel	Splendid Waxcap
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Hygrophoraceae
Genus	Heliosciurus	Hygrocybe
Species	Heliosciurus gambianus	Hygrocybe splendidissima

Conservation Status

Gambian Sun Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

Splendid Waxcap

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Gambian Sun Squirrel	Splendid Waxcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gambian Sun Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Splendid Waxcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.