Silky Shrew Opossum
VU

Silky Shrew Opossum

Caenolestes fuliginosus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusky_caenolestid

Overview

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

The Silky Shrew Opossum faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Mining activities and infrastructure development fragment remaining forest patches, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting the altitudinal zones of suitable cloud forest habitat upward, potentially eliminating lower elevation populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Silky Shrew Opossum inhabits montane cloud forests and elfin woodlands in the Andes, typically at elevations between 1,500-4,000 meters. It prefers dense understory vegetation with abundant moss and epiphyte cover, which provides both shelter and foraging opportunities for invertebrate prey.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Caenolestidae

Pale-bellied Shrew OpossumVU

Pale-bellied Shrew Opossum

Caenolestes caniventer

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Silky Shrew Opossum classified as Vulnerable?
Silky 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 Silky Shrew Opossum faces severe habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Mining activities and infrastructure development fragment remaining forest patches, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting the altitudinal zones of suitable cloud forest habitat upward, potentially eliminating lower elevation populations.
Where does Silky Shrew Opossum live?
Silky Shrew Opossum occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Silky Shrew Opossum?
The main threats to Silky 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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