At a glance
Essentials
- Size
- It is a small shrew, with hind feet 12 mm long. The range may vary with age, sex and population.
- Distribution
- It is endemic to Colombia and known only from the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental, at elevations between 1,300 and 2,715 meters above sea level.
- Habitat
- It has been recorded in hilly and mountainous areas covered by humid forests in the Cordillera Oriental, although its specific habitat has not been described exactly.
- Conservation
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies this species as Data Deficient (DD), because little information is available about its population and threats.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
It has short claws on its forefeet, a diagnostic feature distinguishing it from other shrews in the genus Cryptotis.
- 02
It has small ears that are almost entirely covered by the fur, as well as tiny eyes.
- 03
The dorsal fur is brown with grayish-based hairs, while the tail is covered with short, dark-brown hairs.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Cryptotis brachyonyx is a mammal in the family Soricidae, belonging to the genus Cryptotis and the Cryptotis nigrescens species group. Woodman described it in 2003 as distinct from Cryptotis colombiana, based on morphological and morphometric studies of populations in Colombia’s Cordillera Oriental. It is a small shrew, with a relatively long tail, long dorsal fur, small forefeet, and short claws on the forelimbs, the feature that gives the species its name. Its head has tiny eyes and small ears, almost completely hidden by the fur. The dorsal fur is brown, with grayish-based hairs; the underside has hairs with gray bases that become light brown or yellowish toward the tips, while the tail has short, dark-brown hairs. Its teeth have reddish enamel, and the upper jaw has four unicuspids on each side, in addition to the incisors. This species is distinguished from others in the genus by a set of specific cranial characteristics.