Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Crocidura
Habitat
The Timor shrew primarily inhabits moist lowland forests, grasslands, and shrublands on Timor Island in Indonesia. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and proximity to water sources, avoiding higher elevations.
Diet
The Timor shrew feeds mainly on insects such as beetles and ants, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. It is an active nocturnal forager, using its keen sense of smell to locate prey in leaf litter and soil.
Behavior
The Timor shrew is solitary and territorial, marking its area with scent and avoiding others of its species except during mating. It is primarily nocturnal, spending the day in burrows or under logs, and exhibits rapid, darting movements while foraging. This species is highly active and uses ultrasonic calls for echolocation and communication.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies the Timor shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend and no major identified threats, though habitat loss from deforestation could pose a risk.