The Animal Kingdom is vast and complex. It includes all living beings, from the smallest insect to the largest mammal. Within that kingdom, there are many different branches of classification such as Mammals (Mammalia), Fish (Pisces), or Reptiles (Reptilia). In this article, we will present you with ten of the most unusual and beautiful animals that live in trees.
1. Loris (Lorisidae)
The first animal on our list is a small primate known as the loris. There are two species of lorises: slow lorises and slender lorises. Both species have very unique characteristics; for example, the loris has a toxic bite which it uses to defend itself. It also has extremely elongated lower canines at the front of its mouth.
2. Tarsier (Tarsiidae)
Next, on our list is another primate that lives primarily in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia called tarsiers. Tarsiers are recognized by their extremely large eyes and long hind legs. Tarsiers also have a venomous bite.
3. Sloth (Bradypodidae)
Sloths, which are related to anteaters, live in Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean. Sloths may look lazy because they eat leaves from trees and do very little moving, but they are actually quite intelligent.
4. Tree Shrew (Tupaiidae)
The next animal on our list is a small mammal that lives in the forests of Southeast Asia called the tree shrew. The Tupaiidae family also includes several other similar animals such as the Asian house shrew and the Northern tree shrew.
5. Flying Lemur (Galeopterus variegatus)
Flying lemurs are also known as colugos and they primarily live in Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia. This species of tree animal is related to the lemur but it has evolved for flight instead of walking like their ground-dwelling cousins.
6. Potoo (Nyctibiidae)
Potoos are another unusual animal that lives in trees and they primarily live in Central and South America. They tend to perch on top of branches during the day and search for insects with their huge eyes. At night, they sleep upside down like owls do. Unlike many animals on this list, they do not have toxic bites, sharp claws, or venom.
7. Common Gliding Lizard (Draco volans)
Next up is a lizard that lives in South Asia and Southeast Asia known as the common gliding lizard. This species of tree animal has skin flaps which it uses to glide from tree to tree.
8. Flying Squirrel (Pteromyini)
Flying squirrels are also known as sugar gliders and these small mammals primarily live in Southeast Asia, Central America, and Australia. These animals have flaps of skin that extend from the wrists to their ankles which allow them to glide from tree to tree like flying lemurs.
9. Red Panda (Ailuridae)
Red pandas are related to raccoons and skunks but they primarily live in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Nepal. Red pandas have evolved with long tails that help them to grasp tree branches just like monkeys do. Females usually give birth to one or two babies at a time.
10. Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina)
Last, on our list is the olinguito which is also known as an Andean bear cat. It primarily lives in the cloud forests of Columbia and Ecuador and scientists only recently discovered that this creature existed in 2013. As its name suggests, it looks like a cross between an olingo and a teddy bear.
There you have it, the top 10 most beautiful tree animals in the world. We hope that you get to see at least one of these on the list at some point in your lifetime.