Large Treeshrew

About the Large Treeshrew

The large treeshrew (Tupaia tana) is a treeshrew species within the Tupaiidae. It is native to Sumatra and adjacent small islands, as well as in the lowlands and hills of Borneo. Large treeshrews are the most predominantly terrestrial of all treeshrew species. They are usually on the forest floor, the primary location for their foraging, although they spend part of their time in trees. T. tana has been described as mainly terrestrial based on field observations and their morphological traits. Large treeshrews are most abundant in primary tropical rainforest, but are also found in swamp forest and secondary growth forest. T. tana has many potential predators such as the marbled cat, leopard, and clouded leopard.

Large treeshrews contribute to the maintenance of their lowland rainforest ecosystem by dispersing seeds. Tupaia tana is slightly larger than the common treeshrew (T. glis). The dorsal fur is reddish brown, shading to nearly black at the rear. There is a black stripe running from the neck half to two-thirds of the way down the back until it disappears in the darker posterior fur.

The body size measurements of this species are: Head and body: 165... Wikipedia →