Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew

The Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

The head and body length of the Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew is, and the tail is long. It is brown above with gray at the base of hairs and is colored slightly lighter below. The tail is brown and longer than the head and body combined.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the island's Central Highlands. Its distribution is highly fragmented, with confirmed records from only five localities: Agarapatana, Galaha-Moolgama, and Talawakelle in the Central Province, and Ohiya and Hakgala in the Uva Province. It occurs across a broad altitudinal range, from 330 to 2,310 meters above sea level.

Ecology

It is nocturnal and crepuscular, and leads a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle. Its primary habitat is tropical montane and lowland forests, specifically the wet Patana grasslands found within these forested areas.