Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Cryptotis
Habitat
This shrew primarily inhabits moist montane forests, grasslands, and agricultural edges in Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It prefers areas with dense undergrowth, leaf litter, and moderate elevation up to 2,000 meters for cover and foraging.
Diet
Elliot's short-tailed shrew feeds mainly on insects like beetles and ants, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night using its acute sense of smell, and occasionally consumes spiders or plant material if prey is scarce.
Behavior
Elliot's short-tailed shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent glands to deter intruders. It is primarily nocturnal, spending days in underground burrows or under logs, and exhibits a high metabolic rate that drives frequent feeding. These shrews are agile and quick, often darting through vegetation to escape threats.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Elliot's short-tailed shrew is classified as Least Concern with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion.