Lesser white-toothed shrew  (Crocidura suaveolens)

This shrew has a wide distribution in Europe, extends eastwards to Japan and also occurs in North Africa (3). It does not occur on mainland Britain, but is present on Jersey and Sark in the Channel Islands and is also found on the Scilly Isles (3), where it is thought to be represented by a subspecies known as the Scilly shrew (C. s. cassiteridum, endemic to the Scilly Isles (6). It is believed to have originally been introduced to the Scilly Isles (4) and has since evolved into a new subspecies.

Occurs in a variety of habitats (2), favouring dry ground, and has even adapted to living on the seashore and grassy sand dunes in the Scilly Isles (4). Like the greater white-toothed shrew, it often occurs close to man, living around outbuildings (3).