Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Jungle Shrew
Pangolins, Hares & ShrewsSuncus zeylanicus
Basic stats
Habitat
Lowland wet-zone rainforest
Range
Endemic to Sri Lanka: Central, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, 150-1,000m
Size
10-12cm head and body, tail 8-9cm
The jungle shrew is endemic to Sri Lanka, with confirmed populations in the Central, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces at about 150 to 1,000 m. It is dark grey above with lighter underparts, 10 to 12 cm in head and body with an 8 to 9 cm tail that sometimes has a white tip. It is nocturnal, crepuscular and terrestrial and feeds on insects (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is tied to lowland wet-zone rainforest and avoids abandoned land and plantation woodland. Recent surveys of over 2,000 trap-nights found very few animals, with a single specimen confirmed from Sinharaja Forest Reserve (Wikipedia, general species account). Nationally Data Deficient (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Jungle Shrew live in?
- Lowland wet-zone rainforest
- Where is the Jungle Shrew found?
- Endemic to Sri Lanka: Central, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, 150-1,000m
- How big is the Jungle Shrew?
- 10-12cm head and body, tail 8-9cm