Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
Habitat
Radde's shrew inhabits mountainous regions in the Caucasus and parts of Russia, favoring moist forests, meadows, and areas near streams at elevations up to 2,500 meters. It prefers dense vegetation and rocky terrains for cover and burrowing.
Diet
Radde's shrew primarily consumes insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. It forages actively using its acute sense of smell, often hunting day and night to meet its high metabolic needs. Feeding occurs frequently in tunnels or on the surface.
Behavior
Radde's shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent and aggressively defending it from intruders. It is primarily nocturnal, spending days in underground burrows and emerging to forage at night. This species is agile and swims well if needed, using quick movements to evade threats.
Conservation Status
Radde's shrew is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and climate change impacts on mountainous regions.