Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Savanna shrew inhabits grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands in East and Southern Africa. It prefers areas with dense ground cover for protection and is often found near water sources like streams or moist soil. This species avoids dense forests and extremely arid regions.
Diet
The Savanna shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, along with other invertebrates like spiders and centipedes. It is an active nocturnal forager, using its keen sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter or soil. Occasionally, it may consume small vertebrates if available.
Behavior
Savanna shrews are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days hidden in burrows or under vegetation to avoid predators. They are highly territorial, marking areas with scent glands and defending them aggressively. These shrews exhibit rapid, erratic movements while foraging and have a high metabolic rate requiring constant food intake.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies the Savanna shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend across its range. Major threats include habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization.