VU

Desperate Shrew

Crocidura desperata

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Crocidura desperata faces severe habitat degradation due to agricultural expansion and deforestation across its limited range in Southeast Asia. The species' specialized ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, while its small population size increases extinction risk from stochastic events. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to reduce available habitat, with remaining forest patches becoming increasingly isolated.

Threat summary

Habitat

This shrew species inhabits tropical lowland and montane forests, typically in areas with dense understory vegetation and high humidity. It shows preference for primary forest habitats but may occasionally utilize secondary forest edges with sufficient canopy cover.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in SORICIDAE

Eisentraut's ShrewVU

Eisentraut's Shrew

Crocidura eisentrauti

Stable
Macow's ShrewEN

Macow's Shrew

Crocidura macowi

Unknown
VU

Phu Quoc White-toothed Shrew

Crocidura phuquocensis

Unknown
CR

Nelson's Small Eared Shrew

Cryptotis nelsoni

Stable

Threatened in Tanzania

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Meineckia stipularis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Desperate Shrew classified as Vulnerable?
Desperate Shrew is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Crocidura desperata faces severe habitat degradation due to agricultural expansion and deforestation across its limited range in Southeast Asia. The species' specialized ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, while its small population size increases extinction risk from stochastic events. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to reduce available habitat, with remaining forest patches becoming increasingly isolated.
Where does Desperate Shrew live?
Desperate Shrew occurs in Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Desperate Shrew?
The main threats to Desperate Shrew are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.