Wildlifeof India
Asian House Shrew
Pangolins, Hares, Pikas & Shrews
Photo: (c) Aryan K, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Suncus murinus
Basic stats
Diet
Insects and other invertebrates such as cockroaches; sometimes small mammals
Habitat
Almost every habitat, including houses
Range
South and Southeast Asia; introduced to eastern Africa, Arabia, Madagascar and islands
Litter size
1–8 young, usually 3
Gestation period
About one month
Size
About 15cm, snout to tail tip
Weight
50–100g
The Asian house shrew, also called the grey or Indian musk shrew, is the largest of the shrews in the region, weighing 50–100 g and about 15 cm long from snout to tail tip. It has short, dense mid-grey to brownish-grey fur, small ears and an elongated snout. It is a voracious eater of insects, including cockroaches, and sometimes takes small mammals such as house mice. Indoors it makes a chattering sound like jingling money, and a piercing shriek when alarmed (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been carried by people to eastern Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, the Philippines and other islands. It lives in almost every habitat, including houses. Females breed through the year, averaging two litters a year of one to eight young, usually three, after about a month's gestation. Both parents build the nest, and the young stay in it until nearly adult (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Asian House Shrew eat?
- Insects and other invertebrates such as cockroaches; sometimes small mammals
- What habitat does the Asian House Shrew live in?
- Almost every habitat, including houses
- Where is the Asian House Shrew found?
- South and Southeast Asia; introduced to eastern Africa, Arabia, Madagascar and islands
- What is the litter size of the Asian House Shrew?
- 1–8 young, usually 3
- How long is the gestation period of the Asian House Shrew?
- About one month
- How big is the Asian House Shrew?
- About 15cm, snout to tail tip
- How much does the Asian House Shrew weigh?
- 50–100g