Tree shrew (Tupaia) skull BIRUG 18617

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BIRUG 18617 is the skull of a modern tree shrew (Tupaia). Despite its name, this animal is not closely related to shrews – instead it is among the closest living relatives of primates. The tree shrew is found in many parts of Asia, including, India, Burma, the Nicobar Islands, the Philippines, China, Java, Borneo and Sumatra, living in the undergrowth of tropical forests. Again, despite its name, the majority of tree shrew species actually forage on the forest floor. As indicated by their strong and sharply cusped cheek-teeth, tree shrews are primarily insectivores, though also eat the pulp of soft fruits. This specimen forms part of the Museum’s Humphreys Collection – a historical collection of Quaternary animal skulls and teeth amassed by H. F. Humphreys for use in the University’s dental school. This specimen was digitised by Andrew Jones using an Artec Spider 3D scanner.