Wildlifeof Nepal
House Shrew
Pangolins, Treeshrews, Shrews & Gymnures
Photo: (c) Aryan K, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Suncus murinus
Basic stats
Diet
Mostly insects and other invertebrates; sometimes small mammals
Habitat
Almost every habitat, including houses
Litter size
1–8, usually 3
Gestation period
About one month
Size
About 15cm including tail
Weight
50–100g
The Asian house shrew, or common musk shrew, is the largest of the shrews, about 15cm from snout to tail tip and weighing 50 to 100g. It has short, dense mid-grey to brownish-grey fur, small ears and an elongated snout. It is a voracious insect eater, taking cockroaches and other invertebrates and sometimes small mammals such as house mice (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds throughout the year, with each female averaging two litters a year of one to eight young, usually three, after a month's gestation, in a nest built by both parents. Indoors it makes a chattering sound like jingling money, and when alarmed it gives a piercing shriek. It is found in almost every habitat, including houses. Nationally Least Concern (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the House Shrew eat?
- Mostly insects and other invertebrates; sometimes small mammals
- What habitat does the House Shrew live in?
- Almost every habitat, including houses
- What is the litter size of the House Shrew?
- 1–8, usually 3
- How long is the gestation period of the House Shrew?
- About one month
- How big is the House Shrew?
- About 15cm including tail
- How much does the House Shrew weigh?
- 50–100g