Crocidura leucodon (Hermann, 1780)

Species Identification

The bicoloured white-toothed shrew, Crocidura leucodon, has a head and body length of 2.5 to 3.5 inches (64 to 89 mm), and a tail that is also 2.5 to 3.5 inches (64 to 89 mm) long.

Weight

Its weight ranges from approximately 7 to 13 grams (0.25 to 0.46 oz).

Adult Pelage

It has short, dense dark brown fur covering its upper body, and white fur on its underbody, with a sharp dividing line separating the two colour regions.

Head Features

This shrew has a long, pink muzzle, white teeth, and ears that project out through its fur.

Tail Features

Its tail is sparsely covered with slightly longer hairs.

Juvenile Coloration

Young individuals of this species are noticeably paler in colour.

Vocalization

These shrews frequently produce a loud, shrill twittering chatter.

European Distribution

This species occurs in eastern, central and southern Europe, and is absent from south western France, the Iberian Peninsula, and southern Italy.

Non-European Distribution

It is also native to Crimea, the Caucasus, Turkestan, and Iran.

Altitudinal Range

In the Alps, it can be found at altitudes up to 3,300 feet (1,000 m).

Preferred Habitats

Its preferred habitats include pastureland, cultivated fields, gardens, hedgerows, and rubble and rubbish heaps.

Shelter and Habitat Avoidance

It will sometimes move into buildings to shelter during winter, and it actively avoids damp locations.