Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Cryptotis
Habitat
This shrew is endemic to the high-elevation Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, primarily inhabiting páramo grasslands, montane forests, and moist shrublands above 2,000 meters. It prefers cool, humid environments with dense vegetation and leaf litter for cover and foraging.
Diet
The Eastern Cordillera small-footed shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, along with other small invertebrates. It forages actively both day and night, using its acute sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil. Feeding behavior is rapid and frequent due to its high metabolic rate.
Behavior
This shrew is solitary and primarily nocturnal, spending most of its time foraging in underground tunnels or leaf litter. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking areas with scent glands, and is highly active with quick movements to evade threats. Despite its small size, it can be aggressive when defending its territory or resources.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Cryptotis brachyonyx is classified as Data Deficient due to insufficient information on its population status. Major threats include habitat loss from agriculture, deforestation, and climate change in the Colombian Andes.