Shrew gymnure
The shrew hedgehog ( Neotetracus sinensis ) is a mammal in the group of rats hedgehogs ( Galericinae ) within the hedgehog ( Erinaceidae ), which is mainly in the south of the People's Republic of China home. The animals live mainly in moist mountain forests and feed on insects and other invertebrates. A risk to the stock does not exist.
Description
Hylomys suillus reaches a head -body length of 9.1 to 12.1 centimeters and a tail length of about 5.6 to 7.8 centimeters. The hind feet have a length of 21-36 millimeters. The body is similar to the shrew with a shorter snout. Their fur is colored matt olive brown on the dorsal side, the ventral side is gray in color with light yellow wrapping. A narrow black back strip may be present. Compared to the closely related Hainan rats hedgehogs and to the little rats hedgehogs shrew hedgehog has a relatively long tail, which accounts for about 50% of head-body length. The ears are also relatively long, with around 15 % of the body length.
The dentition of the species is on the upper side and lower side of each three - blade, a corner, three premilling and three molar teeth per jaw half, a total of 44 teeth. The rostrum of the skull is short and above the eyes, there is a strong post- orbital extension.
Distribution and habitat
The shrew hedgehog is widespread in southern China in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces as well as in the north of Myanmar and Vietnam. In southern China, the animals live allo - or parapatric to Hylomys suillus. Further distribution areas could be located in northern Laos as well as in the far north-east India, but there is as yet no evidence from these regions.
Their habitat are higher altitude forests 300-2700 meters above sea level, in China the height spreads are, however, higher than that of Hylomys suillus and begin at about 1200 meters above sea level.
Way of life
Over the life of the shrew hedgehog little is known. Their habitat is moist mountain and mountain forests with dense undergrowth and ground support in subtropical regions. The proximity to water can be present, but is not mandatory. Shrew hedgehog are pure bottom dwellers and strictly nocturnal. During the day they retire to sheets with padded rock caves or in hollow tree trunks. From the stomach contents of dead animals, it is concluded that earthworms and plant material belong to their food.
About the propagation Little is known, females having four embryos were found in April and August, indicating either a long mating season or two litters per year.
The shrew hedgehog is assigned as a distinct species and monotypic genus rats hedgehogs ( Galericinae ) within the hedgehog ( Erinaceidae ). The animals are closely related with the little rats hedgehogs ( Hylomys ) and are sometimes placed in the same genus. 1997 has been described with Neotetracus butleri a fossil species, which was also assigned to this genus.
While Wilson & Reeder 2005 makes no distinction between subspecies of the shrew hedgehog live according to Smith & Yan Xie 2009 N. see cuttingi, N. and N. fulvescens see see three subspecies sinensis in China.
Threats and conservation
The type is determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the relatively large area of distribution as not at risk ( least concern ) listed. It is a regularly occurring kinds, threats to the survival of animals are not known. As a potential threat to the holdings of the loss of suitable habitat could play a role, however, is not known to what extent the species can adapt to anthropogenic changes in habitat.