Wildlife Journal Junior!
New Hampshire PBS

Home       |       Wild Files       |       N.H. Animals       |       Animals A-Z       |       Watch Online

Scandentia - tree shrews

There are 19 species in this order in one family. Tree shrews are 8-16 inches in length and are found in forests in central and southeast Asia. They have squirrel-like bodies; large, round eyes; clawed feet; sharp, pointed muzzles; long, furry tails; and rounded ears. They are omnivores. Tree shrews are not shrews and they don't all live in trees! Some species live in trees and other species live on the ground. At one point, scientist thought tree shrews were primates, but today they are recognized in an order of their own.