Painted treeshrew

The painted treeshrew (Tupaia picta) is a treeshrew species of the family Tupaiidae.^[2]

Painted treeshrew
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Scandentia
Family:	Tupaiidae
Genus:	Tupaia
Species:	T. picta[2]
Binomial name
Tupaia picta[2] Thomas, 1892
Painted treeshrew range

The first specimen was described by Oldfield Thomas and was part of a zoological collection from northern Borneo obtained by the British Museum of Natural History.^[3]

Characteristics

The painted treeshrew has a body length of a little bit over 18 cm (7 in) and a slightly shorter tail length, making it one of the smaller treeshrews in its genus. Most of its body is a rather dull color compared to other related species, consisting of mostly grayish olive, with a few yellow spots. However, its chin and chest are brighter colored, consisting of mostly orange and yellow. It also has a black stripe on its back.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The painted treeshrew is endemic to Borneo and inhabits the forests of Brunei, Kalimantan, and Sarawak. It usually lives at lower elevations, below 300 metres (980 ft), but some specimens have been found at elevations hundreds of meters higher. Although the painted treeshrew is not a threatened species, it still suffers from loss of habitat.^[1]

Behaviour and ecology

The painted treeshrew's diet consists mainly of fruits and insects.^{[citation needed]}