Gambian Sun Squirrel vs Split-Peg Lichen

Heliosciurus gambianus compared with Cladonia cariosa

Key Differences

• Gambian Sun Squirrel is Least Concern while Split-Peg Lichen is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gambian Sun Squirrel	Split-Peg Lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Cladoniaceae
Genus	Heliosciurus	Cladonia
Species	Heliosciurus gambianus	Cladonia cariosa

Conservation Status

Gambian Sun Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

Split-Peg Lichen

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Gambian Sun Squirrel	Split-Peg Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gambian Sun Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Split-Peg Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

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