Suncus murinus

A highly variable species, S. murinus varies widely in colour, size and weight. It is small, secretive and mouse-like with a long pointed nose. The fur is short and velvety, ranging in colour from light grey-brown to black and recorded adult weights vary between 23.5g to 82.0g in females and 33.2g to 147.3g in males (Ruedi et al., 1996). The head-to-body length of S. murinus is up to 15cm, the tail length up to 8cm (Baker, 2005). A study comparing shrew populations from Guam and Madagascar showed some significant differences in appearance, body weight and length, with female shrews from Madagascar being heavier than females from Guam (Hasler et al. 1977). Chang et al. (1999a,b) found that the average weight of adult females in Taiwan was 37.4g, and the average weight of juvenile females was 23.2g, while the average weight of adult males was 58.6g, and the average weight of juvenile males was 32.9g. Musk shrews have very small eyes, thick, relatively hairless tails and make frequent shrill high pitched squeaks. The musk glands on its flanks give it a distinctive smell (BBC, 2006).