The Iberian White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura iculisma) was only recently recognised taxonomically as a distinct species in southwest Europe. This occurred after genetic studies separated what was previously considered a single, widely distributed shrew into several distinct lineages across the continent.
It lives in fragmented populations across the Iberian Peninsula, southwest France and northwest Italy. Its populations are surprisingly scarce in some areas,
The Iberian White-toothed Shrew is a tiny shrew-like mammal with greyish-brown fur on its back and paler on its belly, an elongated and pointed snout, and white teeth lacking the reddish tips of *Sorex* shrews. It is practically indistinguishable to the naked eye from other white-toothed shrews in its environment. Reliable species identification requires genetic analysis due to its recent taxonomic separation.
Tiny track, barely 1 cm long, rarely visible except on very fine substrate. Tiny, dark droppings, a few millimetres long, with insect chitin remains visible under a magnifying glass, are left scattered along its surface runways under dense vegetation. It builds spherical nests of dry grass in hollows under stones, stone walls, or fallen logs. Its presence is betrayed by a characteristic musky odour and by a sharp, rapid squeak emitted when communicating or feeling threatened.
Areas of dense vegetation such as scrub, field margins, stone walls and agroforestry mosaic areas, from lowlands to mid-mountain areas. Fragmented distribution across southwest Europe, with confirmed presence in the Iberian Peninsula, southwest France and northwest Italy.
Insectivorous, it feeds on insects, spiders and other invertebrates. It catches these thanks to a very fast metabolism that forces it to feed very frequently.
Active continuously in short bursts throughout the day and night, with generally solitary and territorial behaviour outside the breeding season. Described so recently that much of its reproductive and social biology remains unstudied in detail.
The Iberian White-toothed Shrew's status varies markedly by region within its fragmented range. In some areas it is considered relatively common, while in other parts of its distribution, known populations are scarce and localised. This difference probably reflects both real differences in abundance and a lack of specific studies following its recent taxonomic separation.
Loss of scrub vegetation and traditional stone walls in the agricultural landscape, pesticide use reducing the availability of invertebrate prey, and general fragmentation of its already restricted distribution range.
See all species accounts for hedgehogs and shrews · Full species index
Mammaling is a free app for logging the mammals you find. You record a sighting in a moment — even if it's just a track — your life list grows, and the record becomes available to scientific and conservation projects.
It runs on your phone with nothing to install. If you like, it adds to your home screen like any other app.
Open Mammaling