Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
Habitat
The Iberian shrew primarily inhabits moist environments in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal, such as forests, grasslands, and riverbanks. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and cover, like under logs or in burrows, and is often found in elevations up to 2,000 meters.
Diet
The Iberian shrew feeds mainly on insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates like spiders and snails. It is a voracious hunter, consuming up to its body weight in food daily due to its high metabolism, and actively forages both day and night in leaf litter or soil.
Behavior
Iberian shrews are solitary and territorial animals, marking their areas with scent and aggressively defending them from intruders. They are primarily nocturnal, spending the day in underground burrows or hidden nests, and exhibit rapid, darting movements while foraging. Despite their small size, they are highly vocal, producing high-pitched squeaks for communication.
Conservation Status
The Iberian shrew is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend across its range. Major threats include habitat loss from urbanization and agriculture, but it is not currently facing significant decline.