Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Congosorex
Habitat
The Greater Congo shrew primarily inhabits dense tropical rainforests in Central Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding regions. It prefers moist, lowland areas with thick undergrowth, leaf litter, and proximity to streams or rivers for cover and water.
Diet
The Greater Congo shrew mainly feeds on insects such as beetles and ants, as well as earthworms and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night using its acute sense of smell, often hunting in leaf litter or soil. They may occasionally consume small amounts of fruit or seeds if available.
Behavior
Greater Congo shrews are solitary and territorial animals, marking their home ranges with scent to deter intruders. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage and hunt while spending the day hidden in burrows or under logs. These shrews exhibit high activity levels and quick movements to evade threats.
Conservation Status
The Greater Congo shrew is classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN due to insufficient information on its population and distribution. Major threats include habitat destruction from deforestation and potential impacts from climate change in its Central African range.