Large White-toothed Shrew

About this species

Size

Head and body 78–95mm; tail 65–80mm

Diet

Insects

Range

Vietnam, Laos and adjacent southern China; possibly Cambodia east of the Mekong

The Dracula shrew, also known as the large white-toothed shrew, is a species of shrew found in Vietnam, Laos and adjacent southern China, with a possible range extension into Cambodia east of the Mekong River. Because it is so similar to the Southeast Asian shrew, it was historically considered part of the same species complex, and the range boundary between the two is still being resolved. Recent genetic evidence strongly supports it as a distinct species (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is a large, long-tailed shrew with a head and body of 78–95 mm and a tail generally at least 80% of that length. The colouring is smoke brown to dark grey-black above fading to dark grey below, with dull white feet, and the tail is often dark above and lighter below. Like other shrews of its subfamily, it is an insectivore.

Description: Wildlife of Vietnam guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)