Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Cryptotis
Habitat
This shrew inhabits high-elevation montane forests and paramo grasslands in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica and western Panama. It prefers moist, cool environments with dense vegetation and leaf litter for cover. These areas provide ample insects and invertebrates for food.
Diet
The Talamancan small-eared shrew primarily feeds on insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. It forages actively at night, using its keen sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil. This high-metabolism species must eat frequently to sustain its energy needs.
Behavior
This shrew is solitary and nocturnal, spending its days hidden in burrows or under logs and emerging at night to hunt. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking areas with scent and avoiding direct encounters with others of its kind. Despite its small size, it is highly active and aggressive when threatened.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Talamancan small-eared shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend, though habitat destruction from deforestation poses a potential threat.