The Japanese water shrew (''Chimarrogale platycephalus''), also called the flat-headed water shrew, is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...

to Japanese Islands, Honshu and Kyushu. They are considered extinct in Shikoku.

Description

The Japanese water shrew grows to a length of about long with a tail length of and weight of . The dense short fur on the head, back and sides is greyish-black. The underparts are dirty white and are sharply demarcated from the dorsal surface. Sometimes they are tinged with rusty brown or occasionally are entirely dark grey. There is a white spot just behind the eye and often another near the small, rounded ear which is nearly hidden in the fur. The nose is black and the snout long and tapering. The Japanese water shrew inhabits mountain streams, small rivers and ponds, preying on benthic organisms, such as aquatic insects, crabs, shrimp, and small fish.

References

* Chimarrogale Endemic mammals of Japan Mammals described in 1842 Taxa named by Coenraad Jacob Temminck Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{redtoothed-shrew-stub

Description

See also

References