tree shrew
Refers to small mammals of the order Scandentia, resembling squirrels but not true shrews. The term is rare and mainly used in biological contexts; the katakana form リスモドキ is standard.
See also: ツパイ
Tree shrews are small mammals that inhabit Southeast Asia.
Have you ever seen a tree shrew at the zoo?
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly used in taxonomic contexts; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 栗鼠 (risu, 'squirrel') and 擬き (modoki, 'pseudo-'), literally 'pseudo-squirrel', referring to the animal's squirrel-like appearance.