Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Palawan shrew inhabits primary and secondary tropical forests on Palawan Island in the Philippines. It prefers moist, lowland areas with dense undergrowth, leaf litter, and proximity to streams. This species is rarely found in disturbed or urban environments.
Diet
The Palawan shrew primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, as well as other small invertebrates like spiders and centipedes. It forages actively at night, using its keen sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil. Feeding occurs frequently due to its high metabolic rate.
Behavior
The Palawan shrew is primarily nocturnal, spending its days hidden in burrows or under logs and emerging at night to forage. It is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent and avoiding interactions with others except during mating. This species exhibits rapid, darting movements when threatened or hunting.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies the Palawan shrew as Vulnerable due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Population trends are declining, with major threats including fragmentation of forest habitats and potential impacts from climate change.