Alpine shrew

Alpine shrew
Conservation status
	; Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Soricidae
Genus:	Sorex
Species:	S. alpinus
Binomial name
	Sorex alpinus; Schinz, 1837
	Alpine Shrew range

The alpine shrew (Sorex alpinus) is a

Soricidae

. It is found in the alpine meadows and coniferous forests of central and southern European mountain ranges.

Description

The Alpine shrew is 6 to 7.7 centimetres (2.4 to 3.0 in) in length, not including a tail as long as its body, and weighs between 5.5 and 11.5 g (0.2 and 0.4 oz). It is a uniform greyish-black on its dorsal (upper) surface and greyish-brown on its underparts. The tips of its teeth are reddish-brown and it has a long pointed snout, small black eyes and rounded pink ears. Its legs and feet are white and the underside of its hairy tail is yellowish.

Sorex minutus but is distinguishable from these by its darker fur and longer tail.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The Alpine shrew is found in the mountains and uplands of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of France. Its range includes the

Alpine meadows and in coniferous woodland at elevations between about 200 and 2,500 metres (660 and 8,200 ft).^[3] It sometimes occurs above the tree line but more normally favours damp pastures and swampy ground near small streams in areas with dwarf sparse conifers near the upper limit of tree cover.^[3] It tends to lurk in dense vegetation, occupies rock crevices and lives under boulders or fallen branches and often occurs near mountain huts.^[3]

The Alpine shrew was recorded in the Spanish Pyrenees in the early 20th century. It is presumed locally extinct due to the lack of modern sightings.^[4]

Behaviour

The Alpine shrew is nocturnal and is a skilled climber, using its tail for balance. It uses scent glands on its

territory. Like other shrew species, it has a high metabolic rate and needs to feed frequently. It eats insects, spiders, snails and earthworms and is in turn the prey of foxes, weasels, domestic cats and tawny owls.^[2]

Status

The Alpine shrew is listed as "

Red List of Threatened Species. This is because it occupies a number of separate, disjunct mountain regions and seems to be slowly declining in numbers. It may be threatened by habitat destruction as hydro-electric schemes and increased tourism impact its environment. It used to be present in the Pyrenees but has not been seen there for many years and may be extinct there, nor has it been seen recently in the Harz Mountain region of Germany.^[1]

References

^
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T29660A114024313.en
. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

^ ^a ^b ^c Burke, Felicity (2011). "Sorex alpinus: Alpine shrew". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
^
ISBN 978-0-00-212080-7
.

^ Palomo, L. J., Gisbert, J., & Blanco, J. C. (Eds.). (2007). Atlas y libro rojo de los mamíferos terrestres de España. Madrid: Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales.

[iucn_status_16_November_2021-1] 
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T29660A114024313.en
. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

[ADW-2] Burke, Felicity (2011). "Sorex alpinus: Alpine shrew". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-08-21.

[Collins-3] 
ISBN 978-0-00-212080-7
.

[4] Palomo, L. J., Gisbert, J., & Blanco, J. C. (Eds.). (2007). Atlas y libro rojo de los mamíferos terrestres de España. Madrid: Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales.

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