Home › Mammalia › Soricidae › Cretan White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni)
SPECIES PROFILE
Cretan White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni)
Crocidura
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to Crete
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Mediterranean maquis, rocky areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Eulipotyphla
FAMILY
Soricidae
GENUS
Crocidura
📋 Description
SIZE
6-7 cm body, 6-9 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown
ADAPTATIONS
High metabolism
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Mediterranean maquis, rocky areas
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to Crete
REPRODUCTION
3-5 young
DIET DETAILS
Insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, competition with introduced shrews
💡 Interesting Facts
1
This shrew is found only on the island of Crete and is one of Europe’s rarest mammals. It is threatened by habitat loss and competition from introduced species.
2
It lives in rocky maquis and is extremely difficult to see without live-trapping.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
White Mountains Crete
Psiloritis Crete
Lasithi Plateau Crete
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Very rare; live-trapping on Crete only.
