This small order of tree shrews was at one time placed in the midst of controversy: is it a primate (order Primates) or an insectivore (order Insectivora)? For several years, different groups placed the tree shrews in one of these orders. Finally, this issue was resolved in 1984 when they were placed in their own order, called Scandentia. Some researchers still argue that they are the most primitive of the primates, however. Tree shrews are remarkably squirrel-like in appearance, with a bushy tail and long fur. However, they lack the prominent whiskers of a squirrel, and the snout is pointed like that of a shrew. They range in size from 8-16 inches, with half their length being in the tail. The tail can either be fully-furred (tree shrew), slightly hairy (smoothtailed tree shrew) or completely naked (pentailed tree shrew). Tree shrews are omnivores, and have large eyes and excellent hearing. They can be found in Asia, New Guinea, Phillippines, and Australia. There are 19 species in 1 family:
Tupaiidae (tree shrews) 19 spp
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