Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
This shrew inhabits moist forests, grasslands, and shrublands in the highlands and lowlands of Sri Lanka, often near streams or in areas with dense undergrowth for cover. It prefers elevations between 500 and 2000 meters, avoiding extremely dry or urbanized areas. Geographic preferences include the wet zone of Sri Lanka for its humidity and abundant insect life.
Diet
The Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, ants, and earthworms, as well as other small invertebrates like spiders and centipedes. It hunts actively at night using its keen sense of smell and touch, consuming multiple small meals to maintain its high metabolism. Feeding behavior involves quick, darting movements through leaf litter and soil.
Behavior
This shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent and aggressively defending it from others of its kind. It is primarily nocturnal, spending the day in burrows or under logs and emerging at night to forage. Notable behaviors include a high metabolic rate leading to constant activity and vocalizations like high-pitched squeaks for communication.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew is Least Concern, with a stable population trend due to its wide distribution. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture in Sri Lanka.