Kelaart long-clawed shrew
| Kelaart long-clawed shrew | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Feroculus | ||||||||||||
| Kelaart , 1850 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Feroculus feroculus | ||||||||||||
| ( Kelaart , 1850) |
The Kelaart long-clawed shrew ( Feroculus feroculus ) is a species of shrew endemic to Sri Lanka .
features
The short, soft fur of this shrew is colored ash gray or black. The front paws are colored white, they are enlarged and have long claws, in contrast to this, the gray hind paws are significantly smaller and have only small claws. The finely haired tail is provided with some longer, bristle-like hairs. These animals reach a head body length of 106 to 118 millimeters, a tail length of 56 to 73 millimeters and a weight of around 35 grams.
Way of life
These shrews live exclusively in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, where they inhabit areas with dense undergrowth up to 2150 meters above sea level. Otherwise, little is known about their way of life. The large claws on the front paws probably indicate an at least partially subterranean way of life.
threat
The species was discovered in the mid-19th century in the region around the city of Nuwara Eliya - another similar species was found in the same region in the 1920s, the Pearson's long-clawed shrew . Since then, hardly more than 10 specimens of this species have been sighted. Due to the small distribution area and the destruction of their habitat, the type of the IUCN is as threatened ( endangered listings).
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Web links
- Feroculus feroculus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Insectivore Specialist Group, 1996. Accessed on 02/01/2007.
- Illustration
