Madras Tupian: Large-Earred Tree Shrew

Written by Pookas Kreations

This is a tiny animal that lives mostly on Sylvania. It is found elsewhere as well but is more prevalent here. The Large-Eared Tree Shrew is mostly arboreal but can be found on the ground as well.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

This tiny animal has traits of both a tree shrew and a fennec fox. Its body is shaped mostly like a fox along with the ears, but the shape of the head, feet, and tail are like a tree shrew. They have distinctive, bat-like ears that radiate body heat and helps keep them cool.

Genetics and Reproduction

The average age of reproductive maturity for both males and females are around one year of age. The female almost always gives birth to two altricial young. The fecundity of females is reduced in poor quality territories or during periods of resource scarcity. Female young have a higher survival rate than their male counterparts due to establishing their home ranges closer to their mothers, while males travel farther in search of new nesting sites, encountering established territories from which they may be forcibly ejected. In some areas, female young have been found to continue to associate with their mothers after weaning, and some inherit the prime den sites. A possible competition exists between mothers and daughters for dens, and daughters may be excluded from a den occupied by the mother. In forests with shortages of den sites, females apparently produce more sons, which do not compete directly for den sites, while in forests with plentiful den sites, female young are greater in number. Tree shrews can live up to 13 years in the wild.
The common tree shrew can breed at any time of the year, but breeding tends to peak in spring, from September to November, and in autumn, from March to May, in some areas. Mating is promiscuous and random; some males can sire several young in a season, while over half sire none.

Growth Rate & Stages

As with most marsupials, the female tree shrew has a forward-opening, well-developed pouch. As usual for marsupials, the newborn may climb, unaided, through the female's fur and into the pouch and attach to a teat. The young develop and remain inside the mother's pouch for another 4-5 months. When older, the young is left in the den or rides on its mother's back until it is 7-9 months old.

Ecology and Habitats

The common long-eared tree shrew is largely arboreal and nocturnal. It has a mostly solitary lifestyle, and individuals keep their distance with scent markings (urinating) and vocalizations. They usually make their dens in natural places such as tree hollows and caves but also use spaces in the roofs of houses. While they sometimes share dens, tree shrews normally sleep in separate dens. Tree Shrews compete with each other and other animals for den spaces, and this contributes to their mortality. Tree Shrews are usually not aggressive towards each other and usually just stare with erect ears. They vocalize with clicks, grunts, hisses, alarm chatters, guttural coughs, and screeching.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Tree shrews are opportunistic hunters and foragers and are omnivores, they will eat almost anything that they can get their hands on. Their diet consists of earthworms and arthropods such as centipedes, millipeds and beetle larva, with some fruit. They will also eat smaller mammals, birds, eggs, reptiles, and amphibians. Less favored arthropods include ants, beetles, spiders, cockroaches, and crickets.  They are very active at night and need to eat 3/4 of their body weight each day. Tree shrews are the mammal equivalent to a hummingbird, they live their life fast and furious, and have a heart rate of 1500 beats per minute. Making 12 body movements a second, because of this, they have a short lifespan.

Biological Cycle

The common large-eared tree shrew is largely arboreal and nocturnal. It has a mostly solitary lifestyle, and individuals keep their distance with scent markings (urinating) and vocalizations. They usually make their dens in natural places such as tree hollows and caves but also use spaces in the roofs of houses. While they sometimes share dens, tree shrews normally sleep in separate dens. Tree Shrews compete with each other and other animals for den spaces, and this contributes to their mortality. Tree Shrews are usually not aggressive towards each other and usually just stare with erect ears. They vocalize with clicks, grunts, hisses, alarm chatters, guttural coughs, and screeching.  In areas of harsh winters, they seek a snug den in the trees or in the ground. They don't care as long as it's warm and secure.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

They have the long narrow face of a tree shrew, but with the large ears of a fennec fox, slanted almond-shaped brown eyes, a small pink nose, and a mouth full of sharp teeth.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mostly on Sylvania, but has spread to many islands as they like to catch rides on merchant ships.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Keen hearing, darkvision, and scent Their sharp sense of hearing and smell gives them and increased ability to sense their surroundings, whether its tracking someone or something or just paying attention to their surroundings.

Genetic Descendants

• Arcanus Tupian: Fae-touched Large-Eared Tree Shrew

Scientific Name

Auribus magnis soricis

Lifespan

10 years, rarely 14 years

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their fur is long and thick, it insulates them during cold nights and protects them from the hot sun during the day. It's naturally coarse, with exception to their tail, natural coloration tends to be dusty shades of brown, red and yellow. The tail is prehensile and naked on the underside and most of its length. The four-color variations are silver-grey, brown, black and gold.