Notiosorex cockrumi, also called Cockrum's gray shrew or Cockrum's desert shrew, is a tiny species of shrews named in 2003. This red-toothed shrew, which is as light as a penny, is the first new mammal species from the U.S. state of Arizona since 1977. Its range extends from Arizona to central portion of the Mexican state of Sonora.[1]

Specimen of Notiosorex cockrumi in the Natural Science Research Laboratory's (NSRL) collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University.

Cockrum's gray shrew
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Notiosorex
Species:
N. cockrumi
Binomial name
Notiosorex cockrumi
Baker, O'Neill & McAliley, 2003
Cockrum's gray shrew range

Distribution and habitat

edit

The shrew is found in desert habitats from southeastern and south-central Arizona to central Sonora. It typically inhabits desert shrub, and plant communities dominated by mesquite, agave, cholla, and oakbrush. It burrows in the soil or in fallen logs and debris.[2][3]

Characteristics

edit

The shrew is very small and is insectivorous. It has a brown-gray color with a reddish-pink nose, tail and feet. Its nose has large whiskers and it also possesses large ears.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Timm, R.; Matson, J.; Woodman, N.; de Grammont, P.C.; Castro-Arellano, I. (2017). "Notiosorex cockrumi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136666A22293361. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136666A22293361.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  3. ^ "Comprehensive Report Species - Notiosorex cockrumi". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2020-02-03.