Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
This shrew inhabits montane forests, grasslands, and shrublands at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania. It prefers moist, cool environments with dense vegetation for cover and foraging.
Diet
The Montane white-toothed shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, along with spiders and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night, using its keen sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil.
Behavior
This shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending its active hours foraging for food and avoiding open areas. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking its range with scent and reacting aggressively to intruders, while maintaining high activity levels due to its fast metabolism.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Montane white-toothed shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend due to its wide distribution. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture in East African highlands.