Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Cryptotis
Habitat
This shrew primarily inhabits montane forests and cloud forests in the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. It prefers moist, shaded areas with thick leaf litter and undergrowth for cover and foraging.
Diet
It feeds mainly on insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates found in soil and leaf litter. Feeding occurs nocturnally, with the shrew using its acute sense of smell to locate prey, and it consumes up to its body weight in food daily to maintain its high metabolism.
Behavior
Oaxacan broad-clawed shrews are solitary and nocturnal, spending days hidden in burrows or under logs to avoid predators. They exhibit territorial behavior, marking areas with scent glands, and move quickly with erratic patterns while foraging. They are highly active hunters, covering significant ground in search of food.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Oaxacan broad-clawed shrew as Data Deficient due to insufficient data on its population status. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion.