Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Sulawesi shrew inhabits tropical forests on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, including both lowland rainforests and montane regions up to about 2,000 meters. It prefers areas with dense undergrowth, leaf litter, and proximity to streams or moist soil for foraging and shelter. This species avoids open or highly disturbed areas.
Diet
The Sulawesi shrew primarily eats insects such as beetles and ants, along with earthworms and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night using its keen sense of smell, consuming food frequently due to its high metabolic rate. Feeding behavior involves probing through leaf litter and soil.
Behavior
The Sulawesi shrew is nocturnal and solitary, spending most of its time foraging alone in the undergrowth. It exhibits territorial behavior, using scent marking to defend small home ranges. This species is highly active and agile, with quick movements to evade threats and capture prey.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Sulawesi shrew is Data Deficient due to limited research and data on its population. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion in Sulawesi.