Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Negros shrew primarily inhabits montane forests on Negros Island in the Philippines, favoring areas with dense undergrowth and moist leaf litter. It prefers elevations between 800 and 1,500 meters where vegetation is thick. These environments provide cover and abundant food sources.
Diet
The Negros shrew feeds mainly on insects such as beetles and ants, as well as earthworms and other small invertebrates. It uses its keen sense of smell to forage actively at night, often in leaf litter or soil. Feeding behavior is opportunistic, allowing it to adapt to available prey.
Behavior
Negros shrews are solitary and primarily nocturnal, spending their days hidden in burrows or under logs to avoid predators. They exhibit territorial behavior, marking areas with scent glands, and are highly active foragers that move quickly through undergrowth. They communicate through vocalizations and scent marking during encounters.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Negros shrew as Critically Endangered due to severe habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Population trends are rapidly declining, with major threats including fragmentation of montane forests.