Nicobar shrewfish
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Nicobar shrews ( Tupaia nicobarica ) |
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| ( Zelebor , 1869) |
The Nicobar Shrew Squirrel ( Tupaia nicobarica ) is a species of mammal from the family of shrew squirrels (Tupaiidae). It is one of the less researched representatives of its genus.
In the Red List of Endangered Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN, the Nicobar shrew is listed as endangered ( endangered ).
features
With a head-to-trunk length of 18 to 19 cm, a tail length of 15 to 19 cm and a weight of around 80 g, the Nicobaric Shrew Squirrel belongs to the medium-sized to large representatives of the Shrew Squirrel and is about the same size as the Common Shrew . The fur on the upper side is brown to red-brown and below the belly light, often yellowish-brown in color. Orientation and social organization are heavily dependent on olfactory perception . The animals therefore have a well-developed sense of smell and have the Jacobson organ . The feet each have five toes, whereby those of the front feet cannot be placed opposite the thumb - the sharp claws, however, enable nimble climbing.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Nicobar shrews is on the Indian islands Klein Nikobar and Groß Nikobar in the Bay of Bengal, where they can be found in rainforests up to a height of 1000 m above sea level.
Way of life
Nicobaric shrews are diurnal, arboreal and very scared. However, there are observations that point to opportunistic stays on the ground. They spend more than 60% of their daily activity time searching for food and around 12% sleeping. They could be observed solitary or in couple relationships. Various types of sounds are known which are emitted in different situations and can be interpreted as calls (pairing), calls of fear, calls of protest and calls of inquiry.
food
The diet of the Nicobar Shrews consists mainly of insects, but also of vegetable parts.
Reproduction
Not very much is known about the reproduction of the Nicobar shrew. The mating season is between November and February. The females only give birth to a single young. It is believed that rearing is similar to that known from other shrews. The mother seldom visits the young in their nest for several days to nurse them. This is only possible due to the enormous fat content in the milk and the high milk consumption of the young animals (up to 1/3 of their own body weight).
Threat and systematics
The main reasons for the threat to the Nicobar Shrews are the increasing loss of habitat and the increased predation pressure from domesticated dogs and cats. Two geographical subspecies have been described: T. nicobarica nicobarica ( Zelebor , 1869) on Groß Nikobar and T. nicobarica surda ( Miller , 1902) on Klein Nikobar .
natural reserve
Tupaia nicobarica is listed in Appendix II of the Washington Convention on Endangered Species .
literature
- MA Oommen, K. Shanker: Ecology and Behavior of an endemic Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 on Great Nicobar Island, India . J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 105 (1). 2008. pp. 55-63.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Tupaia nicobarica in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.2. Posted by: Saha, SS & Bhatta, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ a b Oommen, Shanker: Ecology and Behavior of an endemic Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 on Great Nicobar Island, India . P. 57, see literature
- ↑ Oommen, Shanker: Ecology and Behavior of an endemic Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 on Great Nicobar Island, India . P. 59, see literature
- ↑ a b Oommen, Shanker: Ecology and Behavior of an endemic Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 on Great Nicobar Island, India . P. 61, see literature
- ↑ Oommen, Shanker: Ecology and Behavior of an endemic Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 on Great Nicobar Island, India . P. 60, see literature
- ↑ Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005.