Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Canarian shrew is endemic to the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and Gran Canaria, inhabiting moist laurel forests, shrublands, and agricultural edges. It prefers areas with dense vegetation for cover and is often found in leaf litter or under rocks from sea level up to 1,500 meters elevation. This species adapts to both natural and human-modified environments but thrives in undisturbed habitats.
Diet
The Canarian shrew primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, ants, and spiders, along with other invertebrates like earthworms. It forages actively at night using its keen sense of smell, consuming small prey to meet its high metabolic needs. Occasionally, it may eat seeds or plant material when insects are scarce.
Behavior
Canarian shrews are nocturnal and solitary, spending nights foraging in leaf litter for food while avoiding open areas. They exhibit territorial behavior, marking areas with scent glands and rarely interacting with others except during mating. These shrews have a high activity level, constantly moving to find prey due to their rapid metabolism.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Canarian shrew is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from urbanization and predation by introduced species. Major threats include invasive mammals and climate change impacts on their island habitats.