A shrew of almost mole-like appearance, adapted for digging in the mountain forest floor, which has been shown to carry a hantavirus variant genetically distinct from those found in rodents.
Compact and somewhat stocky body, short, robust legs adapted for digging, short snout compared with other shrews; its size varies according to the mean temperature and altitude of its range.
It digs shallow tunnels in the mountain forest floor, leaving the ground visibly disturbed in the manner of a small mole; it feeds on arthropods, earthworms and rodent young captured underground.
Montane forest of southern China, north-east India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Insectivorous; soil arthropods, earthworms, rodent young and small aquatic animals.
Fossorial in habit like the rest of its genus, it plays a relevant role in the ecological balance of the mountain forest food chain.
Common species within its montane forest habitat, with no signs of significant decline.
No major threats identified on a global scale.
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