Treeshrews and Squirrels Often Mistaken as the Same, IPB University PSSP Researcher Reveals Their Fundamental Differences
Who still thinks treeshrews and squirrels are the same animal? Despite being frequently mistaken for one another due to their similar body shapes and shared arboreal lifestyle, treeshrews and squirrels belong to different taxonomic orders and exhibit distinct behaviors and physical characteristics.
Coordinator of the Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory who is also a Researcher at the Primate Animal Study Center (PSSP) IPB University, Dr Maryati Surya, revealed in detail the differences between these two small animals that are often misunderstood by the public.
Dr Maryati explained that treeshrews, or Tupaia, are small mammals from the order Scandentia. These animals have bodies resembling squirrels but are omnivorous, preying on insects, mites, small animals, and consuming fruits and seeds.
“In terms of taxonomy, Tupaia are quite distinct from squirrels. Treeshrews belong to the order Scandentia, which consists of two families, namely Tupaiidae which are active during the day (diurnal), and Ptilocercidae which are active at night (nocturnal),” she explained.
Treeshrews, she continued, are distributed across tropical regions from India to the Philippines, including Indonesia, from Sumatra, Java, Bali, to Kalimantan. They can live arboreally (in trees) or terrestrially (on the ground), and prefer tropical forest environments and plantation areas.
Physically, treeshrews have small bodies weighing between 45 and 350 grams, with a body length of 12 to 21 cm. “Treeshrews have a more prominent snout and a sharper, more elongated face compared to squirrels, resembling a shrew,” said Dr Maryati. She also noted that treeshrews are solitary and monogamous, and rarely approach humans.
Meanwhile, squirrels belong to the order Rodentia, family Sciuridae, which includes small to medium-sized rodent mammals. Unlike omnivorous treeshrews, squirrels are herbivorous, feeding on nuts, fruits, and seeds.
“Squirrels are more commonly found in environments close to humans and are often considered pests because of their diet,” said Dr Maryati. She mentioned that squirrels are characterized by their long, bushy tails that curve upward and rounded heads with prominent cheeks and eyes.
Squirrels also live in groups and are socially active, unlike the solitary nature of treeshrews. Their sizes vary, from the smallest species measuring about 10–14 cm long to larger squirrels like marmots, which can weigh more than 8 kilograms.
Through this explanation, Dr Maryati hopes the public can better understand and distinguish between treeshrews and squirrels, avoiding misconceptions in recognizing and treating these two species.
“We need to understand these differences, especially in the context of conservation and interactions with wildlife,” she said.
For additional information, research conducted by PSSP IPB University has successfully developed a liver cell culture (hepatocyte) from Tupaia javanica as an in vitro model. This cell culture has proven capable of supporting the growth of hepatitis B virus derived from gibbons and orangutans.
To further utilize this hepatocyte cell culture, PSSP has established research collaborations with the Mochtar Riady Institute of Nanotechnology for studies related to hepatitis C virus in humans, as well as with the Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI) for research on hepatitis B virus in humans. (dr) (IAAS/ANF)
