Pearson's Long-clawed Shrew

About this species

Size

12-13cm head and body, tail 6-7cm

Habitat

Montane evergreen forest, including wet patana grassland

Range

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, 1,000-2,310m

Pearson's long-clawed shrew is endemic to Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, recorded from Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve and the Knuckles range at 1,000 to 2,310 m. It is dark greyish-brown above with paler underparts, and 12 to 13 cm long with a 6 to 7 cm tail. Its forefoot claws are long, the middle one about 5 mm (Wikipedia, general species account).

It lives in primary montane evergreen forest, including wet patana grassland, and is thought to be semi-fossorial and to favour dense ground cover. It is the only species in its genus and was discovered on 1 January 1924 by Joseph Pearson, director of the Colombo Museum. Habitat loss is the main threat. Nationally Critically Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).

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