Activity measurements were aimed at quantifying the most obvious interspecific differences. Analyses of variance were made on the parameters of tailflicking, 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 aliogroom more frequently than selfgroom when compared to the forest subspecies. This is related to a closer group structure. Keywords: Activity, Activity levels, Activity parameters, Habitat, Southern Africa, tree squirrels.