Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
Horsfield's shrew inhabits moist tropical forests, grasslands, and shrublands in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and proximity to water sources for cover and food. This species avoids open or arid environments, thriving in humid, lowland regions.
Diet
Horsfield's shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, along with other small invertebrates like spiders and centipedes. It hunts actively at night using its keen sense of smell, consuming food frequently due to its high metabolic rate. Feeding behavior includes quick, darting movements to capture prey.
Behavior
Horsfield's shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending its active hours foraging for food in leaf litter or undergrowth. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking areas with scent to deter others, and is known for its rapid, erratic movements to evade threats. This species communicates through vocalizations and is generally aggressive towards intruders.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies Horsfield's shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend across its range. Major threats include habitat destruction from deforestation and agricultural expansion.