Long-tailed forest shrew
species of mammal
The long-tailed forest shrew, or long-tailed mouse shrew, (Myosorex longicaudatus) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and swamps.
Description
The long-tailed forest shrew has a head-and-body length of between 73 and 93 mm (2.9 and 3.7 in), with a tail averaging 66 mm (2.6 in). The dorsal fur is mainly dark grey; the individual hairs have grey bases, yellowish or brownish shafts and blackish tips, creating a yellowish, brownish or blackish washed effect on the coat. The underparts are somewhat paler, with the dorsal and ventral colourings merging on the flanks. The tail is brownish-black above and paler underneath.
Distribution and habitat
This shrew is endemic to South Africa, where it is restricted to a coastal strip in Cape Province. It occurs at altitudes of up to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft), with a subspecies, Myosorex longicaudatus boosmai, occurring in the Langeberg Mountains at higher altitudes than other populations. Suitable habitat includes primary forests and their edges, fynbos and swampy grassland. This shrew needs moist conditions and does not occur in secondary forest.
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This entry incorporates text from “Long-tailed forest shrew” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.