Note on the food habits of <i>Ptilocercus lowii</i> Gray (Pentail tree‐shrew) and <i>Echinosorex gymnurus</i> (Raffles) (Moonrat) in Malaya with remarks on “ecological labelling” by parasite patterns

Abstract

Examination of the endoparasites and stomach contents of Moonrats and Pentail treeshrews helps to establish certain facts as to the behaviour and food preference in their natural environment. Earthworms and arthropods are the main diet of Moonrats in the wild, with fish, crabs and land molluscs as supplementary food. In captivity, this animal fed primarily on fresh fish. The Pentail tree‐shrews, on the other hand are more insectivorous although meat is occasionally eaten. This animal apparently is not strictly a canopydweller as was previously believed. The stomach contents, and the fact that some specimens were trapped on the forest floor indicates that they may often descend to ground level.