Home › Mammalia › Soricidae › Pygmy White-toothed Shrew (Suncus etruscus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Pygmy White-toothed Shrew (Suncus etruscus)
Suncus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Mediterranean, Asia, Africa
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Mediterranean scrub, gardens
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Eulipotyphla
FAMILY
Soricidae
GENUS
Suncus
📋 Description
SIZE
3-5 cm body, 1.5-2.5 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown, pale underside
ADAPTATIONS
Smallest terrestrial mammal
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Mediterranean scrub, gardens
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Mediterranean, Asia, Africa
REPRODUCTION
2-4 young
DIET DETAILS
Insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The pygmy white-toothed shrew is one of the smallest mammals on Earth, sharing the title with the bumblebee bat. Its heart can beat up to 1,500 times per minute.
2
It is found across the Mediterranean and is often overlooked because of its tiny size.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Sardinia Italy
Sicily Italy
Crete Greece
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely small; live-trapping in Mediterranean scrub.
