Crocidura allex

Osgood, 1910

East African Highland Shrew

Figure 1. Photograph by B. Stanley.

Figure 2. FMNH 173978. Photograph by R. Banasiak.

Type Description:

Field Mus. Nat. History. Publ., Zool. Ser., 10(3):20.

Type Locality:

Kenya, 'Naivasha, British East Africa'.

Measurements:

Total length: 102-130 mm

Head and body: 57-66 mm

Tail length: 34-45 mm

Hindfoot length: 11-14 mm

Ear length: 7-9 mm

Weight: 3-11 g

Description:

This small shrew has light brown thick fur.

Comparisons:

All other small shrews within Tanzania are darker and the fur is not as thick.

Distribution:

Within Tanzania, this ecologically isolated highland species is endemic to the mountains of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru and the Ngorongoro crater. Crocidura allex is found in all vegetation types, as well as, at all altitudes and is able to climb and swim. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)

Figure 3.

Ecological Notes:

This species is found above the forest line on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and is the most common shrew in these habitats. On Mt. Meru specimens were collected in bamboo habitats.

Key Reference:

1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:95-109.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 145-146.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:202-203, 218-222.