Northern treeshrew

Northern tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeri )

The Northern tree shrews or Belangers Tupaja ( Tupaia belangeri ) is a mammal of the family tree shrews ( Tupaiidae ). It ranks alongside the ordinary tree shrews ( Tupaia glis ) the best known and because of the long-standing laboratory attitude of the best researched representatives of this group.

In the Red List of endangered species by the World Conservation Union IUCN Northern tree shrews is listed as not threatened (Least Concern ).

Features

With a body length 16-18 cm, a tail length 15-19 centimeters and a weight of 110-185 grams, the Northern tree shrews among the medium- to-large representatives of the tree shrews. The coat is olive brown to light brown colored and stands out in the region of the shoulders by the vertical drawing. The tail is covered with long hair, which makes him a flattened by the sideways -trending in the width of hairline. The head looks pointed and is characterized by the small ears and the damp nose leather. The orientation and the social organization is highly dependent on olfactory perception and is clearly by the well-trained sense of smell and the presence of Jacobson organ. The feet carry five toes, not compared with the thumb ( opposed ) can be - by the sharp claws but a behändes climbing is possible. Nevertheless, the animals prefer horizontal and vertical planes, and can often be observed on the ground.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area extends from northeast India and southern China to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Habitats form tropical and subtropical forests up to an altitude of 3000 m above sea level.

Way of life

Although Northern tree shrews are considered arboreal, they keep frequently also on the floor. They are diurnal and contract during periods of rest in tree holes or doze back exposed. In their social organization, particularly males exhibit territoriality towards conspecifics, often form monogamous pair relationships and male - areas may overlap several females - areas. Between male and female animals it comes to social contact, which manifests itself in mutual licking of the fur ( grooming ). The individual areas are large, depending on the food supply 500-8000 m². Territories are marked with urine and secretions of their sternal glands located. The animals produce a large number of different call types from 0.4 to 20 kHz, demonstrating the different patterns of behavior, or ranks. Males produce five different mating sounds that can be distinguished by their calling order.

Food

The food Northern tree shrews is next to insects and small vertebrates from plant elements like fruits. Food is, unless it is simply placed in the mouth, taken with both front paws and eaten while sitting.

Reproduction

The natural mating season is from March to August. The females have a ten-day estrus. After the female has made ​​a choice of a partner, it comes several times for mating. Females build nests and well padded to give birth after a gestation period 41-45 days one to four pups. Birth weight is on average about 13-14 grams. The young animals are visited and nursed about every two days from the mother. This is only possible because the milk fat has a very high (about 25%) and is consumed in large quantities. The first solid food is taken up in about 30 days, at this time, visited the mother at shorter intervals the nest. Sexual maturity is reached at 3-4 months.

The life expectancy of Northern tree shrews in nature is about two to three years, whereas it is significantly higher in captivity with about twelve to 14 years.

Threat and conservation

Due to the large area of ​​distribution and the adaptability of the population in areas inhabited by men, the Northern tree shrews is considered not threatened.

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