Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
Habitat
The Jalisco shrew inhabits highland regions of western Mexico, particularly in Jalisco and nearby states, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. It prefers moist forests, grasslands, and areas near streams or with dense undergrowth for cover and foraging. These environments provide the necessary humidity and prey abundance.
Diet
The Jalisco shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, along with other small invertebrates like spiders. It is an active forager, using its keen sense of smell to hunt day and night, and consumes food frequently due to its high metabolic rate. Feeding occurs both on the ground and in burrows.
Behavior
The Jalisco shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent to deter others. It is primarily nocturnal, spending days in underground burrows and emerging at night to forage. These shrews exhibit high activity levels and aggressive defense when threatened.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Jalisco shrew is Data Deficient due to limited research, with population trends unknown. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion in its Mexican range.