Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Peninsular shrew inhabits lowland forests, grasslands, and shrublands in peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. It prefers moist environments with dense undergrowth and leaf litter, which provide cover and foraging opportunities. These areas are typically at elevations below 500 meters.
Diet
The Peninsular shrew primarily consumes insects such as beetles and ants, along with earthworms and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night using its acute sense of smell, and its high metabolism requires it to eat frequently throughout the night. This feeding behavior helps control insect populations in its habitat.
Behavior
Peninsular shrews are solitary and territorial, defending small home ranges with scent markings. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage rapidly and cover ground in search of food. These shrews exhibit high activity levels and quick movements to evade threats, often using burrows or dense vegetation for shelter during the day.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Peninsular shrew is Least Concern, with a stable population trend due to its wide distribution. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion.