Energy metabolism was investigated for Funisciurus congicus from arid savanna in north-western Namibia, Paraxerus cepapi cepapi from woodland savanna in central southern Africa, P. palliatus tongensis from mesic eastern coastal orest and P. p_ ornatus from evergreen subtropical forest. They are all adapted to hot regions and oxygen consumption was lower than the expected Brody-Proctor prediction. F. congicus had the highest thermal conductance. Keywords: Energy metabolism, South African, Tree squirrels.