Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
Lucina's shrew inhabits moist grasslands, forests, and shrublands in East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia and surrounding highlands. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and proximity to water sources, often at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. These environments provide cover and abundant prey.
Diet
Lucina's shrew primarily feeds on insects such as beetles and ants, as well as earthworms and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night using its acute sense of smell, consuming food frequently due to its high metabolic rate. Occasionally, it may eat spiders or small snails.
Behavior
Lucina's shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending daylight hours in burrows or under vegetation to avoid predators. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking its area with scent glands, and is highly active, constantly foraging to meet its energy needs. Despite its small size, it can be aggressive when defending territory.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Lucina's shrew is classified as Least Concern with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization.