Christmas Island musk-shrew
The Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura trichura) is an extremely rare or possibly extinct shrew. There is conclusive evidence that this species has declined dramatically since 1900, yet the reason is unproven.
Ca
CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
In
InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
Te
TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Vi
ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
So
SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
C
starts withThe Christmas Island shrew is a small short-legged mammal with a distinct pointed muzzle. It has a dark grey to reddish brown coloring. The Christmas Island shrew varies from other forms of the species in that it is beset with long fine hairs, and its tail is much greater in length.
This species is found on Christmas Island, an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean. Within this range, it inhabits tall plateau rainforests with deep soil, as well as the shallow soil of terrace rainforests.
Christmas Island shrews are solitary animals. They live on the ground and use holes in rocks and tree roots for shelter.
These shrews are carnivores (insectivores) and feed primarily on small beetles.
Little is known about the mating system and reproductive behavior of this species.
The reasons for the population of this species reduction are unknown but potential threats include disease, habitat loss, habitat alteration due to invasive weeds, predation from cats and black rats, small population size, and mortality from road traffic. Its disappearance in recent times might be caused by the accidentally introduced Yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes), which is a dangerous threat to many terrestrial animals on Christmas Island.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Christmas Island shrew total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
