Shrew gymnure

Species of mammal

Shrew gymnure
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Subfamily: Galericinae
Genus: Neotetracus
Species:
N. sinensis
Binomial name
Neotetracus sinensis
Shrew gymnure range

The shrew gymnure, or shrew hedgehog (Neotetracus sinensis), is a species of mammal in the family Erinaceidae and is the only extant species in the genus Neotetracus. It is found in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Description

The shrew gymnure's coat is soft, dense, and quite long. The back coat color ranges from olive-brown, cinnamon-brown, and a mixed cream/black color. On the underside of the body, the coat color is usually red, grey, or cream-colored. In some shrew gymnures, the sides of the neck and head are tinged with red. A faint black dorsal stripe may also be present. Its tail is lightly covered with tiny hairs. In comparison to other members of its family, the shrew gymnure has a longer tail, shorter snout, and fewer teeth.[2]

Behavior

Shrew gymnures reside in cool, damp forests between 300 and 2700 m altitude. Within their range, shrew gymnures can be found beneath logs and rocks and also dwell in burrows characterized by moss and fern cover. They are strictly terrestrial, as well as nocturnal. Breeding season for the shrew gymnure extends throughout the year, with a probable limit of two litters per year.[2]

Diet

This mammal's diet consists mostly of invertebrates.

References

  1. ^ Smith, A.T.; Johnston, C.H. (2016). "Neotetracus sinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T10590A22325953. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10590A22325953.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Stone, R. David (1995). Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN. p. 15. ISBN 2-8317-0062-0.
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Extant Erinaceidae species by subfamily
Erinaceinae
(Hedgehogs)
Atelerix
  • Four-toed hedgehog (A. albiventris)
  • North African hedgehog (A. algirus)
  • Southern African hedgehog (A. frontalis)
  • Somali hedgehog (A. sclateri)
Erinaceus
  • Amur hedgehog (E. amurensis)
  • Southern white-breasted hedgehog (E. concolor)
  • West European hedgehog (E. europaeus)
  • Northern white-breasted hedgehog (E. roumanicus)
Hemiechinus
  • Long-eared hedgehog (H. auritus)
  • Indian long-eared hedgehog (H. collaris)
Mesechinus
  • Daurian hedgehog (M. dauuricus)
  • Hugh's hedgehog (M. hughi)
  • Gaoligong forest hedgehog (M. wangi)
  • Small-toothed forest hedgehog (M. miodon)
  • Eastern forest hedgehog (M. orientalis)
Paraechinus
  • Desert hedgehog (P. aethiopicus)
  • Brandt's hedgehog (P. hypomelas)
  • Indian hedgehog (P. micropus)
  • Bare-bellied hedgehog (P. nudiventris)
Galericinae
(Gymnures)
Echinosorex
  • Moonrat (E. gymnura)
Hylomys
  • Dwarf gymnure (H. parvus)
  • Javan short-tailed gymnure (H. suillus)
  • Bornean short-tailed gymnure (H. dorsalis)
  • Max's short-tailed gymnure (H. maxi)
  • Dalat gymnure (H. macarong)
  • Northern short-tailed gymnure (H. peguensis)
  • Leuser gymnure (H. vorax)
Neohylomys
  • Hainan gymnure (N. hainanensis)
Neotetracus
  • Shrew gymnure (N. sinensis)
Otohylomys
  • Long-eared gymnure (O. megalotis)
Podogymnura
  • Dinagat gymnure (P. aureospinula)
  • Eastern Mindanao gymnure (P. intermedia)
  • Mindanao gymnure (P. truei)
Taxon identifiers
Neotetracus sinensis


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