Tree Shrew, or Tupaya, a family of tree-dwelling, squirrel-shaped mammals found in India and the mainland and islands of southeast Asia. The family is made up of five genera and about 15 species. The animals are not related to true shrews, but somewhat resemble them in appearance.
Tree shrews have long snouts and long, slender bodies; members of most species have long, bushy tails. Body length ranges from about 4 to 8 ½ inches (10 to 22 cm), not including the 3 ½- to 9-inch (9- to 23-cm) tail. Most adult tree shrews weigh less than one pound (450 g). The fur can be various shades of brown or gray with lighter underparts. Some species have pale shoulder stripes or facial markings.
Tree shrews are good climbers and swift runners. Tree shrews often play in water. They eat primarily insects and fruit. A litter usually consists of two young.
Tree shrews make up the family Tupaiidae and the order Scandentia. Tree shrews were formerly placed in the order Primates or the order Insectivora.