Asian mole shrew

The stubby tail shrews ( Anourosorex ) are a living in East and Southeast Asia genus of the family of shrews ( Soricidae ). They are adapted as the only genus of shrews completely to a subterranean lifestyle.

Features

Named giving feature of this shrew species is short, only 7 to 17 millimeters long tail. The body length is depending on the type about 50 to 110 millimeters. The soft, dense fur is gray on the top, the underside is lighter. The ears are hidden in the fur, the eyes are tiny and the snout elongated. The wide, hairless legs end in long claws.

Skull characteristics

All species of the genus possess the maxilla per half an incisor ( incisor ), two canine teeth ( canines ), a Vorbackenzahn ( premolar ) and three molars ( Molar ). In the lower jaw it has in each half only one canine. Overall, the animals thus have 26 teeth. The third molars are reduced in both the upper and lower jaw.

Distribution and habitat

Stubby tail shrews live in central and southern China, Taiwan, in Assam as well as in the northern regions of Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Their habitat are mountain countries 1500-3100 meters above sea level.

Way of life

These shrews lead a largely subterranean lifestyle, which earned them the English common name "Mole Shrews ". They dig burrows and burrow through the earth or fallen leaves on the ground with its long snout in search of food. They feed on insects, their larvae and earthworms.

System

Previously, all animals were combined together to form, Anourosorex squamipes. Younger classifications distinguish four types:

• Anourosorex assamensis,
• Anourosorex schmidi,
• Anourosorex squamipes and
• Anourosorex yamashinai.