Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Neomys
Habitat
This species inhabits areas near freshwater bodies such as streams, rivers, ponds, and marshes across Europe, from Spain to the Balkans and into western Asia. It prefers habitats with dense riparian vegetation and slow-moving water, often in lowland or hilly regions. They are semi-aquatic and require proximity to water for foraging and shelter.
Diet
The Mediterranean water shrew primarily eats aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, and amphibians, which it catches by diving and foraging along stream banks. It is an opportunistic feeder, hunting mainly at night or dawn when prey is active. Feeding behavior involves quick, repeated dives to capture prey in shallow waters.
Behavior
The Mediterranean water shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent and aggressively defending it from others. It is primarily nocturnal, spending much of its time swimming and foraging in water, and it uses burrows near water edges for shelter. This species exhibits high activity levels, with quick movements both on land and in water to evade threats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend across its range. Major threats include habitat loss from pollution, urbanization, and agricultural runoff.