Which mammalian order consists of treeshrews?

The mammalian order consisting of treeshrews is Scandentia.

Scandentia contains the treeshrews, small mammals native to South and Southeast Asia. The name comes from the Latin scandere, meaning “to climb,” reflecting the group’s climbing abilities. Depending on the classification used, the order contains two families: Tupaiidae and Ptilocercidae.

Treeshrews are not true shrews, which belong to the order Eulipotyphla. They also are not primates, although genetic and anatomical evidence places Scandentia near primates and colugos within the broader mammalian group Euarchonta. Their squirrel-like appearance has contributed to historical confusion about their relationships.

Most treeshrews are active during the day and eat fruit, insects, and other small foods. Despite their common name, several species spend substantial time on the ground rather than living exclusively in trees. Their distinctive evolutionary position makes them valuable in studies of early primate and placental-mammal evolution.