Animals of the rain forests are provided with a variety of habitats in the different layers of the forest trees. Some live at the top of the tallest trees while others live in the lower zones. 

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Common Tree-Shrew

Common Tree Shrew © Arjan Haverkamp CC BY 2.0Common Tree-Shrew: Tupaia glis - S.Asia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo

One of eighteen species of tree-shrew, this remarkable little animal was mistakenly identified as a shrew when it first came to the notice of zoologists. Subsequent investigation proved that this animal was not an insectivore at all, but a very primitive Primate, a member of the family which includes lemurs, monkeys, apes and man! The tree-shrew is a surviving relic from many millions of years ago.

About 14 inches in length, the animal is a skilful climber. Its food consists of a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Find out about other species of shrew all over the world with these factsheets Common Shrew and the Water Shrew both found in the UK.

Read More: Orangutan

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