Mysterious Mammals

When we were touring the Museum of Science in Boston (see previous post) we also got to see most of the live animals that are used in their educational visits to schools.  Among them, was an animal that Aaron introduced to us as, 'the closest thing to a primate, but isn't'.  I wasn't sure what he meant by that so decided to look it up.  So here's a riddle for you, what looks like a cross between a squirrel and a mouse, is called a shrew but isn't, and is related to primates but isn't one?  A treeshrew! 

Madras treeshrew  Source:  Wikipedia

Treeshrews are from Southeast Asia and live in a tropical forest environment.  They were originally put in the Insectivora order which included moles and hedgehogs.  Then they were put in the primate family, but recent DNA analysis shows that treeshrews are actually most closely related to colugos (see my Clinging Colugos post).

Common Treeshrew  Source:  Wikipedia

Most treeshrews live in trees, but then again, some do not.  There are 20 different species of treeshrews.  The larger species tend to live on the ground and have larger claws which are used to dig up insects.  Besides insects they eat small mammals, fruit and seeds.  Treeshrews live in small family groups and they will defend their territory against intruders.  Like many small mammals, treeshrews have a larger brain compared to their body size than humans. 

Northern Treeshrew   Source:  Wikipedia

I always enjoy meeting a mammal I know nothing about.  For a video, click here.