Nicobar treeshrew

The Nicobar tree shrew ( Tupaia nicobarica ) is a mammal of the family tree shrews ( Tupaiidae ). It is one of the less-explored representatives of its genus.

In the Red List of endangered species by the World Conservation Union IUCN, the Nicobar tree shrew is listed as endangered ( endangered ).

Features

With a head-body length of 18 to 19 cm, a tail length of 15 to 19 cm and a weight of about 80 g of the Nicobar tree shrew is one of the medium -to-large representatives of the tree shrews and is as large as the ordinary tree shrews approximately. : 57 the skin of the top is brown to reddish brown and below the belly bright, often yellowish brown. The orientation and the social organization is highly dependent on olfactory perception. Therefore, the animals have a well-trained sense of smell and have the Jacobson organ. The feet carry five toes, with those of the front feet are not compared with the thumb ( opposed ) can - by the sharp claws, however, is a behändes climbing possible.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Nicobar Spitz croissant is on the Indian small Islands Nicobar and Great Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal, where they are found in rain forests up to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level.

Way of life

Nicobar tree shrews are diurnal, arboreal and very jumpy. However, there are observations that indicate opportunistic stays on the floor. More than 60 % of their daily activity time they spend searching for food and about 12% with sleep. You could be observed solitary or in couple relationships. There are different call types are known which are ejected in different situations and as mating calls ( mating), anxiety shouts, clamor and exploration calls can be interpreted.

Food

The food of the Nicobar Spitz croissant consists mainly of insects, but also from vegetable shares.

Reproduction

Is still not very much is known about the reproduction of the Nicobar Spitz croissant. The mating season is between November and February. The females give birth to only a single young is born. It is believed that the raising takes place similarly, as is known in other shrews. The mother visited the boys in their nest rarely in the course of several days to suckle. This is only due to the enormous fat content in the milk and the high milk consumption of the young animals (up to 1/3 of your body weight) possible.

Threat and systematics

Main reasons for the threat of the Nicobar Spitz croissant are the increasing loss of habitat and increased predation by domesticated dogs and cats. Two geographical subspecies have been described: T. nicobarica nicobarica ( Zelebor, 1869) on large Nicobar and T. nicobarica surda (Miller, 1902) on small Nikobar.

Conservation

Tupaia nicobarica is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention.