Greater white-toothed shrew  (Crocidura russula)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

This shrew is one of the 'white-toothed shrews'; it lacks deposition of iron in the enamel of the tips of the teeth as seen in the red-toothed shrews (4). The upper surface of the body is greyish or reddish brown in colour; the underside becomes more of a yellowish grey, and there is no clear demarcation between the two (5). The tail is covered in long whisker-like (2) white hairs (5). Although generally larger in size, this species is very similar in appearance to the lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) (2), so much so that the only truly reliable method to distinguish between the two species is by detailed examination of the teeth (5).

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