# Horsfield's Treeshrew

> Horsfield's Treeshrew (Tupaia javanica). Horsfield's treeshrew belongs to Tupaiidae rather than the squirrel family and is reported from Sumatra, Java, Bali and Nias.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/tupaia-javanica/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/tupaia-javanica/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

Horsfield's Treeshrew (*Tupaia javanica*) is a mammal in the family Tupaiidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Bali, West Java, Central Java. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Java, Bali, western Sumatra and Nias Island. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Tupaia javanica* |
| Indonesian name | Tupai Kekes |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Tupaiidae |
| Observation records | Bali, West Java, Central Java |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Taxonomic group | Scandentia |
| GBIF records | 164 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436298) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Java, Bali, western Sumatra and Nias Island · [Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo)](https://zenodo.org/records/6779292) |

## What is the Horsfield's Treeshrew?

Horsfield's Treeshrew refers to Tupaia javanica, in the genus Tupaia, family Tupaiidae, and order Scandentia. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436298)

## What is known about the Horsfield's Treeshrew?

Horsfield's treeshrew belongs to Tupaiidae rather than the squirrel family and is reported from Sumatra, Java, Bali and Nias.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupaia%20javanica)

## Habitat and field observations of the Horsfield's Treeshrew

Mammal accounts place Horsfield's treeshrew mainly in primary forest rather than every disturbed habitat. Detailed food evidence is limited; fruit and insects are discussed as likely, not fully measured.

Evidence: [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2436298/descriptions)

## How many Indonesian records name the Horsfield's Treeshrew?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 164 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436298&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Bali, West Java, Central Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436298&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Horsfield's Treeshrew?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Horsfield's Treeshrew with Wild Boar, Sumatran Surili, Asian Palm Civet. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Horsfield's Treeshrew

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Scandentia |
| Family | Tupaiidae |
| Genus | *Tupaia* |
| Species | *Tupaia javanica* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about Horsfield's Treeshrew

### What is the scientific name of Horsfield's Treeshrew?

The scientific name of Horsfield's Treeshrew is *Tupaia javanica*, in the family Tupaiidae and the order Scandentia. In Indonesian it is called Tupai Kekes.

### What kind of animal is Horsfield's Treeshrew?

Horsfield's Treeshrew is a mammal in the family Tupaiidae. It is also endemic to Indonesia.

### Where does Horsfield's Treeshrew live in Indonesia?

Observation records of Horsfield's Treeshrew summarised in this guide mainly come from Bali, West Java, Central Java. That list is not a complete range map.

Horsfield's Treeshrew is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Java, Bali, western Sumatra and Nias Island. Source: [Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo)](https://zenodo.org/records/6779292).

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### How does Horsfield's Treeshrew reproduce?

Horsfield's Treeshrew reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/).

### Is Horsfield's Treeshrew nocturnal?

The cited source records Horsfield's Treeshrew as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of Horsfield's Treeshrew?

Scientific classification of Horsfield's Treeshrew: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Scandentia, family Tupaiidae, genus *Tupaia*, species *Tupaia javanica*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is Horsfield's Treeshrew endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, Horsfield's Treeshrew is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436298), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether Horsfield's Treeshrew is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436298)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436298&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2436298/descriptions)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/46294)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupaia%20javanica)
6. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/)
7. [Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo)](https://zenodo.org/records/6779292)
8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Wild Boar](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sus-scrofa/)
- [Sumatran Surili](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/presbytis-melalophos/)
- [Asian Palm Civet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/paradoxurus-hermaphroditus/)
- [Waigeo Spotted Cuscus](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/spilocuscus-papuensis/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Horsfield's Treeshrew. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/tupaia-javanica/