Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum
VU

Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum

Caenolestes caniventer

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray-bellied_caenolestid

Overview

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

The Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum faces severe habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Deforestation for crop cultivation and pasture development has fragmented its specialized montane habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable temperature and moisture conditions upslope beyond the species' elevational limits. Mining activities and road construction further degrade remaining forest patches, isolating small populations and reducing genetic diversity.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits cloud forests and humid montane forests in the Andes, typically at elevations between 1,500-3,000 meters. It requires dense understory vegetation and leaf litter layers characteristic of these moist, cool mountain ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Caenolestidae

Silky Shrew OpossumVU

Silky Shrew Opossum

Caenolestes fuliginosus

Unknown

Threatened in Ecuador

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
EN

Puya longispina

Unknown
VU

Chelonoidis becki

Unknown
EN

Chelonoidis chathamensis

Increasing

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum classified as Vulnerable?
Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum 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. The Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum faces severe habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Deforestation for crop cultivation and pasture development has fragmented its specialized montane habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable temperature and moisture conditions upslope beyond the species' elevational limits. Mining activities and road construction further degrade remaining forest patches, isolating small populations and reducing genetic diversity.
Where does Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum live?
Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum occurs in Ecuador, and Peru. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum?
The main threats to Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum 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.

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