Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
Greenwood's shrew inhabits moist tropical forests, grasslands, and areas near rivers in East Africa, primarily in Kenya and Tanzania. It prefers dense undergrowth and regions with ample leaf litter for cover and foraging.
Diet
Greenwood's shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles and ants, along with earthworms and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night, using its acute sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil.
Behavior
Greenwood's shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending its days hidden in burrows or under logs to avoid predators. It is highly territorial, marking its area with scent and using ultrasonic calls for communication. These shrews exhibit rapid, erratic movements while foraging due to their high metabolic rate.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Greenwood's shrew is classified as Least Concern with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and agriculture.