Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Scandentia
- Family
- Tupaiidae
- Genus
- Anathana
Habitat
The Madras treeshrew primarily inhabits dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and rocky hills in southern India. It prefers areas with dense undergrowth and trees for climbing, and can adapt to human-modified landscapes like agricultural edges. This species is found at elevations up to 1,000 meters in regions with a mix of vegetation for cover.
Diet
Madras treeshrews mainly eat insects such as ants, beetles, and termites, along with fruits, seeds, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards. They forage actively during the day, using their acute sense of smell to locate food on the ground and in trees. Feeding behavior involves quick, darting movements to capture prey.
Behavior
Madras treeshrews are diurnal and primarily arboreal, spending much of their time climbing trees and foraging for food. They are solitary animals with overlapping home ranges and exhibit territorial behavior through scent marking and vocalizations. Notable behaviors include rapid, agile movements and a high metabolic rate that drives frequent feeding.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Madras treeshrew is Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion.