Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Talpidae
- Genus
- Dymecodon
Habitat
True's shrew mole primarily inhabits moist, loose soils in forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas of Japan, particularly on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It prefers environments with abundant vegetation and underground spaces for burrowing, avoiding dry or rocky terrains.
Diet
True's shrew mole feeds mainly on earthworms, insects, and other soil invertebrates like beetle larvae and spiders. It hunts by tunneling through the soil and is most active at night or during dawn and dusk when prey is abundant.
Behavior
True's shrew mole is solitary and territorial, maintaining extensive underground burrow systems for living and foraging. It is primarily nocturnal, emerging to seal burrow entrances or search for food, and communicates through vocalizations and scent marking to avoid encounters with others of its kind.
Conservation Status
True's shrew mole is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture in Japan.