Wildlifeof China
Asian House Shrew
Pangolins, Treeshrews, Shrews & Gymnures
Photo: Roland Godon · CC BY 4.0
Suncus murinus
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, other invertebrates and small vertebrates
Habitat
Buildings, gardens, farmland, scrub and forest edge
Range
South, Southeast and East Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere
Litter size
Usually 2–6
Gestation period
Approximately 30 days
Size
Approximately 10–15cm head-and-body length
Weight
Approximately 23–100g
The Asian house shrew is a relatively large, grey-brown shrew with a long pointed muzzle, small eyes and a thick, sparsely haired tail. A strong musky odour is produced by scent glands. The species is widespread across South, Southeast and parts of East Asia and has been transported to numerous islands and ports. (Wikipedia, general species account)
It lives around buildings, gardens and farmland as well as scrub and forest edges. Insects and other invertebrates dominate the diet, although small vertebrates may also be attacked. The shrew is mostly nocturnal and produces shrill calls; females usually bear two to six young after roughly 30 days. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Asian House Shrew eat?
- Insects, other invertebrates and small vertebrates
- What habitat does the Asian House Shrew live in?
- Buildings, gardens, farmland, scrub and forest edge
- Where is the Asian House Shrew found?
- South, Southeast and East Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere
- What is the litter size of the Asian House Shrew?
- Usually 2–6
- How long is the gestation period of the Asian House Shrew?
- Approximately 30 days
- How big is the Asian House Shrew?
- Approximately 10–15cm head-and-body length
- How much does the Asian House Shrew weigh?
- Approximately 23–100g