A small, lively mammal native to Southeast Asia, including parts of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and southern Myanmar. The common treeshrew belongs to a unique group of animals that are more closely related to primates than rodents or shrews, making it an important species for understanding mammal evolution. With its slender body, pointed snout, and bushy tail, it resembles a squirrel at first glance, but it behaves quite differently.

These treeshrews are small and quick, with a tail that can be nearly as long as their body. Their fur is typically brown or grayish, with lighter underparts and often a faint stripe along the back. Although they are good climbers and spend time in trees, they are also very active on the ground, where they forage for food. Their movements are fast and jerky, and they are constantly on the move during daylight hours, which makes them hard to spot in the wild.

The common treeshrew is omnivorous, feeding on a mix of insects, fruits, seeds, and small animals. Their diet helps control insect populations and also contributes to seed dispersal in their forest habitats. One of the most fascinating traits of this species is its unusual tolerance for spicy foods — it’s currently the only known mammal that willingly eats chili peppers, a trait that has puzzled scientists and inspired curiosity about its digestive and sensory systems.

Treeshrews have a very strange parenting system. Mothers only visit their young once every couple of days to nurse, staying away from the nest the rest of the time to avoid attracting predators. The babies grow quickly despite this minimal contact and leave the nest well-prepared for independent life.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Indonesia

2017

Malaysia

2017

Thailand

2017