The Andaman shrew (''Crocidura andamanensis''), also known as the Andaman white-toothed shrew, is a critically endangered species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to South Andaman Island in the

Andaman Islands The Andaman Islands () are an archipelago, made up of 200 islands, in the northeastern Indian Ocean about southwest off the coasts of Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Region. Together with the Nicobar Islands to their south, the Andamans serve as a mari ...

of India.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by American zoologist Gerrit S. Miller Jr. in 1902. It belongs to the genus ''Crocidura'', which comprises white-toothed shrews found across Africa, Europe, and Asia. The holotype was collected at MacPherson Strait, South Andaman Island, and a second specimen was recorded in Mount Harriet National Park in 1997.

Description

The Andaman shrew is a small, insectivorous mammal with a pointed snout, tiny eyes, and soft fur. Its dorsal pelage is bluish-grey, washed with brown, while the ventral side is lighter brown. The feet are yellowish-brown, and both the tail and ears are dark brown. Like other members of its genus, it has white-tipped teeth. It is dark grey or brown in coloration with lighter underparts. Like other members of its genus, it has white-tipped teeth. Its body length is approximately 6–7 cm, with a proportionately long tail.

Distribution and habitat

This shrew is restricted to South Andaman Island, where it inhabits tropical moist deciduous and evergreen forests, particularly among leaf litter and rock crevices at elevations up to 383 meters.

Behavior and ecology

The Andaman shrew is presumed to be nocturnal, though it might also be active intermittently during the day and night. Due to its elusive nature and rarity, detailed information on its behavior, diet, and reproduction is lacking.

Threats

The primary threats to the Andaman shrew include: * Habitat loss due to selective logging and other anthropogenic activities on the island. * Natural disasters, such as tsunamis and drastic weather changes, which have contributed to habitat degradation.

Conservation

The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the

IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological ...

due to its extremely limited range, small population size, and ongoing threats.

References

Crocidura Endemic fauna of the Andaman Islands Mammals of India Mammals described in 1902 Critically endangered fauna of Asia Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{whitetoothed-shrew-stub