# Northern treeshrew (*Tupaia belangeri*) The Northern treeshrew is a small, lively mammal that loves to climb trees. With its big eyes and long tail, it looks a bit like a squirrel but is actually more closely related to elephants! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Northern treeshrew](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tupaia_belangeri_69211397.jpg&width=800) Photo: Blair Dudeck, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tupaia_belangeri_69211397.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern treeshrew has soft, brownish-olive fur on its back and a paler, yellowish-white belly. It features a long, pointed snout, large dark eyes, and a bushy tail nearly equal to its body length, with a faint pale stripe over each shoulder. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Scandentia - **Family:** Tupaiidae - **Genus:** Tupaia ## Interesting facts - Despite being small, treeshrews can solve simple puzzles to find hidden food treats! - They are not true shrews, but belong to their own order, Scandentia, related to primates! - They sometimes use communal nesting sites, sharing warmth and protection with others! - Treeshrew mothers visit their babies only once every 48 hours to feed them milk! ## Special abilities - **Agile Acrobat:** Northern treeshrews can move incredibly fast through trees because of their sharp claws and strong limbs, helping them escape predators. - **Keen Senses:** Northern treeshrews have excellent vision and a sharp sense of smell that helps them find hidden insects and ripe fruits. - **Speedy Digestion:** Northern treeshrews have a super-fast metabolism, meaning they digest food quickly and need to eat often to stay energized. - **Scent Messages:** Northern treeshrews use special scent glands to mark their territory, telling other treeshrews where they live. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.19 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-3 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 40-50 days ## Diet & Feeding They feast on insects, fruits, and seeds, using their sharp senses to find tasty treats in the forest. - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Ants, Berries, Figs, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Indian Cobra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-cobra) (*Naja naja*) — A common snake predator in its habitat. - **Hunts:** Red Palm Weevil (*Rhynchophorus ferrugineus*) — Actively hunts this beetle in palm plantations. - **Eats:** Cluster Fig (*Ficus racemosa*) — Feeds on ripe fruits, helping disperse seeds. - **Eaten by:** Rufous-bellied Eagle (*Hieraaetus kienerii*) — Vulnerable to aerial attacks from this forest eagle. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step in the forest, as small animals like treeshrews can be nearby. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern treeshrew? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern treeshrew? 14-20 cm ### How much does Northern treeshrew weigh? 0.05-0.19 kg ### How long does Northern treeshrew live? 2-3 years ### How fast can Northern treeshrew move? 10 km/h ### What does Northern treeshrew eat? They feast on insects, fruits, and seeds, using their sharp senses to find tasty treats in the forest. ### Where is Northern treeshrew usually found? Forests ### How does Northern treeshrew hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Northern treeshrew: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-treeshrew)