tree shrew

noun

1. any of several insectivorous, arboreal mammals of the family Tupaiidae, of southern Asia and adjacent islands, resembling a squirrel and having a long snout.

tree shrew

noun

1. any of numerous small arboreal mammals of the family Tupaiidae and order Scandentia , of SE Asia, having large eyes and resembling squirrels

Word History and Origins

Origin of tree shrew¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

In one recent animal study, tree shrews were made to look at a digital device.

Read more on Salon

Instead of consuming insects, they collect feces from tree shrews that sit atop their bowl-shaped pitchers and feed on the fatty secretions they produce.

Read more on National Geographic

He is also about to start a new lab at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute in Haining, and plans to look for coronaviruses in bats, tree shrews, civets and other mammals, where permitted.

Read more on Nature

These plants appear to have evolved so that their openings fit perfectly under the tree shrew’s behind, and they’re sturdy enough to support the animal’s weight.

Read more on The Verge

Their feet looked more like those of modern tree shrews.

Read more on Scientific American