Pygmy treeshrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pygmy treeshrew |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tupaia
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| Species: |
minor
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| Pygmy treeshrew range | |
The pygmy treeshrew (scientific name: Tupaia minor) is a small, active animal that looks a bit like a squirrel. It belongs to a group of animals called treeshrews. You can find these tiny creatures in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The name tupai comes from the Malay word for squirrel or small animals that look like squirrels.
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Where Pygmy Treeshrews Live
Pygmy treeshrews live in several parts of Southeast Asia. They are found in peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, as well as on the large island of Sumatra in Indonesia. They also live on the Lingga Archipelago and Borneo, plus some smaller islands nearby.
Scientists have collected many pygmy treeshrews over the years. From 1891 to 1991, more than 30 of these animals were found in different areas of Sarawak, Malaysia. These places included mountains like Mt Penrisen and Mt Dulit, and other regions like Kuching.
What Pygmy Treeshrews Look Like
The pygmy treeshrew has fur that is a mix of light and dark colors. This gives it a speckled, olive-brown look. Its upper body often has a reddish tint towards its back. The tail is long and thin, and it's usually darker on top than the rest of its body.
Their legs are all about the same length. They have long, sharp claws on their feet and hands. These claws help them climb trees easily. A pygmy treeshrew can grow to be about 45 centimeters (18 inches) long. About half of that length is just its tail!
Pygmy Treeshrew Behavior and Diet
Pygmy treeshrews are diurnal, which means they are active during the daytime. You can often spot them climbing on vines or small tree branches. They usually stay about 3 to 8 meters (10 to 26 feet) above the ground. Sometimes, they climb even higher, up to 20 meters (65 feet)!
Even though they climb high, they spend most of their time closer to the ground. They like to build their nests in tree roots or inside fallen logs. When they move, they walk in a way that keeps their body weight balanced close to the tree. Their sharp, curved claws are perfect for gripping and climbing.
Pygmy treeshrews are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes insects and various fruits. They are not known to cause much damage to farms or crops. In fact, they might even help spread the seeds of some Ficus (fig) trees.
Pygmy Treeshrew Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female pygmy treeshrews usually give birth to one to three young at a time. The babies are born after a gestation period of about 45 to 55 days. This is how long the mother carries her young before they are born. Pygmy treeshrews can live for a long time for such small animals, often reaching 9 to 10 years old.
