Tupaia (genus)

Authentic tree shrews ( Tupaia spp.)

The authentics shrews or authentics tree shrews ( Tupaia ) are a mammal genus of the family tree shrews ( Tupaiidae ). They are the most well-known and with 15 species and most species-rich genus of its family. Even the ordinary tree shrews ( Tupaia glis ) is one of them.

Dissemination

The distribution of authentics shrews ranges from eastern India and Nepal on Southeast Asia and the Philippines to the islands of Borneo and Bali.

Description

Of the other shrews genera to the authentics shrews differ primarily in the sparser hair, bushy tail and small ears. Their fur color varies from reddish brown to olive green to gray, the underside is somewhat lighter colored. Like all shrews they have a long snout. Actual tree shrews reach a body length 14-23 centimeters, the tail is about as long, and a weight of 100 to 300 grams.

Way of life

These animals live mainly in forests, although some species are also in plantations and sometimes even to find gardens. Like most shrews are diurnal. They spend the night hidden to go during the day in search of food in nests in tree roots or hollow tree trunks. Most species are ground dwellers but can climb well.

The social behavior of these animals is likely to vary depending on the type. Sometimes you can find couples who live together in monogamous relationships and have a common territory, which they mark with scent glands. Sometimes, however, also suggest that the area of a male overlaps with up to three females and the males claim to these three females rises even during mating. Other species are social and live together in groups, only the dominant male of the group propagates with the females.

Food

Actual tree shrews are omnivorous. Take both insects and small vertebrates as well as seeds, fruits and leaves to him.

Reproduction

The peak of the breeding season is from February to June, although they can reproduce throughout the year. The gestation period is about seven to eight weeks, then come to three pups, which are initially naked and blind.

The animals have developed a special system of rearing the young. They build two nests, one for parents and one for the boys. Only every two days is the mother of the boys past the nest in order to suckle for about 15 minutes to spend the rest of the time this alone in the nest. With around ten to 20 days, they open their eyes and with about five weeks, they are weaned. Sexual maturity occurs already at around three months.

In the wild, the average life expectancy is around two to three years, the highest known age of an animal in captivity was twelve years.

Threat

The loss of habitat and hunting are the main threat for these animals dar. A total of four species are listed as endangered or threatened, with no precise data for many other species.

The types

  • The Common tree shrews ( Tupaia glis ) lives in the south of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java, and on some islands in the southwestern Philippines.
  • The distribution area of Northern Spitz squirrel ( T. belangeri ) ranges from eastern India and Nepal on Myanmar and Southeast China to Thailand.
  • The Nicobar tree shrew ( T. nicobarica ) is endemic to the Nicobar Islands. It is considered threatened.
  • The red-tailed shrews ( T. splendidula ) occurs only in southern Borneo and on offshore islands.
  • The Java tree shrews ( T. javanica ) lives in Sumatra, Java and Bali.
  • The Slim - tree shrews ( T. gracilis ) is native to Borneo.
  • The lowland tree shrews ( T. picta) also lives only in Borneo.
  • The strip tree shrews ( T. dorsalis) is also endemic to Borneo. Characteristic of this type is a black spinal stripe.
  • The dwarf tree shrews ( T. minor) is located in the south of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. In contrast to most other species, it lives mainly in trees.
  • The Highland tree shrews ( T. montana) is only found in mountainous areas of northwestern Borneo.
  • The Tana ( T. tana ) is the largest species of the genus and is characterized by a black spinal stripe. It lives in Sumatra and Borneo.
  • The Mentawai tree shrews ( T. chrysogaster ) lives exclusively on the southern coast of Sumatra offshore Mentawai Islands.
  • The Palawan tree shrews ( T. palawanensis ) is native to the island belonging to the Philippines Palawan. The species is considered endangered.
  • The Langfuß - tree shrews ( T. longipes ) is also one of the species endemic to Borneo shrew species. The IUCN lists it as threatened.
  • Tupaia moellendorffi is on several small islands off the northern coast of Palawan ( Busuanga, Culion and Cuyo ) endemic.
Euarchontoglires Mammal Species of the World
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