tree shrew
Small arboreal insectivore
A tree shrew is a small, squirrel-like mammal native to Southeast Asian forests.
Despite the name, tree shrews are not true shrews—they belong to their own order and are among the closest living relatives of primates.
They have pointed snouts, large eyes, and bushy tails, and live primarily in trees, feeding on insects, fruit, and small vertebrates.
In operation now
- diurnalActive during daylight
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- scamperingMoving quickly, playfully
darting · nimble · quick · alert · energetic · curious · restless · vocalizing
Animal body hair
- whiskersFacial sensory hairs
- snoutBeast's protruding face
- tailRear animal appendage
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
eyes · ears · rodent-like · pointed · slender · bushy · compact · lightweight
Overhead protective covering
- branchesLimbs of trees
- foliagePlant's leafy covering
- treetopUppermost branches
- climbingAscending by physical effort
perching · forest · woodland · bough · leafy · understory · bark · limbs
Warm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- placentalNourished before birth internally
- vertebrateSpinal column animal
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- genusTaxonomic rank above species
classification · order · family · evolution · ancestor · phylogeny · divergence
active
In operation now
- diurnalActive during daylight
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
scampering · darting · nimble · quick · alert · energetic · curious · restless · vocalizing · aggressive
fur
Animal body hair
claws · eyes · ears · rodent-like · pointed · slender · bushy · compact · lightweight · agile
canopy
Overhead protective covering
climbing · perching · forest · woodland · bough · leafy · understory · bark · limbs · nesting
mammal
Warm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- placentalNourished before birth internally
- vertebrateSpinal column animal
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
genus · classification · order · family · evolution · ancestor · phylogeny · divergence
insects
Six-legged arthropods
- berriesSmall fleshy fruits
- seedsPlant embryos in casings
- omnivorousConsuming all foods
fruit · nectar · arthropods · gleaning · searching · sniffing · nibbling · feeding · diet · earthworms