The Madras tree shrew is a small Indian mammal with a mottled back, pale belly, and pale shoulder stripe. It is reported to spend more time on the ground than in trees.
Brown, yellow, and black hairs mix across its back, sometimes with a reddish tinge. Its underside and slanted shoulder stripe are nearly white, and its large ears have thick hair.
It forages alone in the morning and evening, eating insects, earthworms, and fruit. It rarely climbs trees, with climbing observed when frightened, playing, or grooming.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.