Malayan water shrew  (Chimarrogale hantu)

Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1).

This little-known, water-dwelling animal has a body modified for an aquatic life (3). While it is relatively large for a shrew (3), the body and head, with the long, pointed nose characteristic of all shrews (4), are streamlined (2). The short, dense fur, which is dark grey on the back, sometimes with a brownish tinge, and pale grey or white on the underside (5), is somewhat water repellent (3). Occasional silver-tipped hairs are found throughout the coat, and the long tail is dark brown (5). The eyes of the Malayan water shrew are tiny, and the small ears can be sealed with a flap of skin when underwater. The feet are fringed with stiff hairs, an adaptation which aids propulsion when the shrew is kicking through the water (3).

The Malayan water shrew has only been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, although it is possible that its range extends into southern Thailand (1).

Inhabits streams in tropical mountain forest (6), probably up to altitudes of 3,300 metres (7).

Water shrews belonging to the genus Chimarrogale are reportedly competent underwater swimmers, and feed on insects, aquatic larvae, small crustaceans and fish found in their forest stream habitat (3). Like many other water shrews, the Malayan water shrew regularly grooms its fur, spreading skin oils throughout the coat in order to maintain its water-repellent properties (2).

The little-known Malayan water shrew depends on clear mountain streams for its survival, and so water pollution poses a threat to this species existence. Deforestation increases the amount of sediment that is washed into streams, degrading the quality of the Malayan water shrew’s habitat (3). In addition, Malayan water shrews are sometimes caught in fish traps as they forage underwater (7).

The Malayan water shrew’s presence in the Ulu Langat Forest Reserve and Temengor Forest Reserve may offer a little protection (1) (5). In 2005, Ulu Langat Forest Reserve was declared part of a State Heritage Park, which, although illegal logging still occurs, is hoped to prevent further human encroachment (5). A conservation action plan for all Eurasian insectivores and tree shrews, including the Malayan water shrew, was complied by IUCN in 1995. The plan recommended that this species should be the subject of an immediate investigation, starting within the Ulu Langat Forest Reserve, before carrying out surveys elsewhere in the region. The results of such surveys would help inform a management plan for this species and its habitat (7).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on the Malayan water shrew see:

• EDGE of Existence:
  www.edgeofexistence.org