Overview
Formally described in 2021 by the Zoological Survey of India, the Narcondam Island Shrew (Crocidura narcondamica) is a tiny, highly specialized insectivorous mammal endemic entirely to the remote volcanic island of Narcondam in the Andaman Sea. It is the first new shrew species discovered in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in over four decades.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Features dense, velvety greyish-brown dorsal fur that transitions to a paler ash-grey on its ventral abdomen. Possesses an elongated, highly mobile snout densely packed with tactile vibrissae, small bead-like eyes, and short rounded ears tucked into its fur. Its dental formula features white-tipped teeth and specialized unicuspid incisors engineered for puncturing tough chitinous invertebrate shells.
Behavior and Ecology
Active both day and night beneath dense fallen leaf litter and volcanic basalt boulder fields. Driven by a relentless metabolic rate characteristic of crocidurine shrews, it constantly patrols the forest floor, consuming near its body weight in insects daily. Utilizes high-pitched ultrasonic squeaks to navigate subterranean burrows and detect prey movement.
Conservation and Human Impact
Assessed as Critically Endangered due to its extreme geographic confinement to an active volcanic island of merely 6.8 square kilometers. The species is highly vulnerable to catastrophic volcanic eruptions, introduced invasive predators (such as feral cats or rats), and climate change-induced cyclones.
Interesting Factoid
The entire world population of the Narcondam Island Shrew lives on a single dormant volcanic cone rising abruptly out of the Andaman Sea, sharing its tiny home with the famous endemic Narcondam hornbill.
Last updated: October 2026