Urogale everetti is also known as Urogale cylindrura. The phylogenetic position of the Scandentia is still a subject of much debate. Some scientists place tree shrews with primates, while others put them with the insectivores. Further, the relationships of species within the order are also not known. (Lyon 1913)
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
The current plans for the conservation of tree shrews in Southeast Asia are outlined in "Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrew: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan", a 1995 publication released by the IUCN. The URL for this site is http://members.vienna.at/shrew/itsesAP95-introduction.html.
The biggest problem threatening Urogale everetti populations is the destruction of their natural habitats by humans. Because they aren't well known and don't have an economic value, this species and its habitat are being overlooked by conservationists.
(Stone 1995)
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
This species is omnivorous. Urogale eats a variety of foods ranging from small animals and insects to fruits and vegetables. U. everetti has also been observed opening and eating eggs with enough skill to suggest that it does so in the wild. Their appetite is large; an individual can eat several bananas or two-ounce pieces of meat a day. Eating is usually done in the morning, but water is consumed whenever possible.
(Nowak 1999)
Animal Foods: mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: fruit
Primary Diet: omnivore
The Philippine tree shrew is widely distributed on the Mindanao, Dinagat, and Siargao islands of the Philippines (Lyon 1913; Nowak 1991).
Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Philippine tree shrews are usually found inhabiting brush zones and dense vegetation along river beds. They have also been observed running and climbing in trees. Natives of the Philippines say that U. everetti make nests in the ground and in cliffs. Urogale specimens have been collected from the mountains of Mindanao at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. (Lyon 1913; Nowak 1999)
Range elevation: 900 to 1200 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Not much is know about the lifespan of U. everetti; however, one captive specimen lived to be 11.5 years old.
(Nowak 1999)
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.5 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.5 years.
Urogale can easily be distinguished from other members of the Tupaiidae by its even-haired round tail and elongated snout. Furthermore, it has small zygomatic fenestra and large canine-like second incisors. Compared to the rest of its family, the skull of Urogale is large and angular, with a heavy rostrum. The claws on the fore feet are long and sharp. The dental and skull characteristics indicate that Urogale is probably more predatory and carnivorous than any other member of Tupaiidae.
The length of the head and body of U. everetti is approximately 170 to 220 mm, while the tail is 115 to 175 mm. The feet are usually 50 mm long and the braincase is about 20 mm wide.
The upper parts of the animal are brownish in color, due to a mixture of tawny and blackish hair. Most specimens also have an orange shoulder stripe. The underparts of the animal vary in color from orange to orangish-red. The chest is usually the brightest part. Specimens from different areas also vary in color from each other. The specimens from Dingagat are generally light in color with a golden sheen dorsally, while those from Siargao are usually much darker.
(Nowak 1999; Lyon 1913)
Average mass: 350 g.
Range length: 170 to 220 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 350 g.
Average basal metabolic rate: 1.25 W.
Philippine tree shrews are born naked. Newly born Urogale weigh approximately 20 grams and are about 103 mm long. After 13 to 25 days, the young open their eyes. Urogale has been bred successfully in several zoos. The gestation period lasts 54 to 56 days and litters of only one or two have been reported. Adult females have 2 mammae and suckle their young about once every two days. Females are usually receptive to males soon after they give birth. (Hayssen et al. 1964; Nowak 1999).
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1-2.
Range gestation period: 54 to 56 days.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous ; post-partum estrous
Average birth mass: 20 g.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Parental Investment: altricial
The Mindanao treeshrew (Tupaia everetti), also called the Philippine tree shrew, is a species of treeshrew endemic to the Mindanao region in the Philippines.[2] It was formerly considered the only member of the genus Urogale,[1] but that genus was merged into Tupaia when the species was found to nest within the latter genus in a molecular phylogeny.[5] The scientific name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.
It is found, as its name suggests, in Mindanao, in the Philippines. It lives in rain forest and montane forest.
It is the heaviest treeshrew, weighing about 355 g, and is terrestrial.[6] The body is 17–20 cm, and the tail is 11–17 cm. It has a particularly elongated snout and a rounded, even-haired tail. The fur is brownish, but with orange or yellow underparts.
It is diurnal in its habits, and it climbs well and runs fast on the ground.
Its diet is varied. It includes insects, lizards, young birds, bird's eggs, and fruit.
In the wild, it is thought to nest on the ground or on cliffs. Their breeding habits have been observed in captivity, where females have produced one or two young after a gestation period of 54–56 days.
The Mindanao treeshrew (Tupaia everetti), also called the Philippine tree shrew, is a species of treeshrew endemic to the Mindanao region in the Philippines. It was formerly considered the only member of the genus Urogale, but that genus was merged into Tupaia when the species was found to nest within the latter genus in a molecular phylogeny. The scientific name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.
