Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Feroculus
Habitat
This shrew inhabits the montane forests and grasslands of central Sri Lanka, typically at elevations above 1,000 meters where moisture levels are high. It prefers areas with dense undergrowth, leaf litter, and soft soil for burrowing, avoiding open or arid regions.
Diet
Kelaart's long-clawed shrew primarily eats insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates found in soil and leaf litter. It forages nocturnally, using its long claws to dig and probe for prey, and consumes food items that provide high energy due to its high metabolic rate.
Behavior
This shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending most of its active time digging burrows and foraging in leaf litter. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking its area with scent glands, and is generally elusive, avoiding open spaces to reduce predation risk. Little is known about social interactions, but it may vocalize softly during encounters.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Vulnerable due to habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion in Sri Lanka. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including fragmentation of montane forests and climate change.