Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits rocky mountainous regions and boulder-strewn slopes, often at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters in the Caucasus and surrounding areas. It prefers dry, temperate climates with ample crevices for shelter and is less common in dense forests or open plains.
Diet
The lesser rock shrew feeds mainly on insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, which it hunts actively in leaf litter and under rocks. It is nocturnal, foraging primarily at night to avoid predators, and supplements its diet with small spiders or plant material when insects are scarce.
Behavior
Lesser rock shrews are solitary and territorial, marking their areas with scent and aggressively defending them from intruders. They are primarily nocturnal, spending the day in burrows or rock crevices, and exhibit high activity levels while foraging. These shrews are agile climbers and swimmers, using their keen senses to navigate and hunt in dark environments.
Conservation Status
The lesser rock shrew is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend, though habitat loss from human development poses a potential threat.