| Crocidurinae[1] Temporal range:Miocene to Recent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Soricidae |
| Subfamily: | Crocidurinae |
| Type genus | |
| Crocidura Wagler, 1832 | |
| Genera | |
see species list | |
Thewhite-toothed shrews orCrocidurinae are one of three subfamilies of theshrew familySoricidae.
The outer layer of these shrews' teeth is white, unlike that of thered-toothed shrews which possessiron-reinforcedenamel. These species are typically found inAfrica and southernEurope andAsia. This subfamily includes the largest shrew, theAsian house shrew,Suncus murinus, at about 15 cm in length, and the smallest, theEtruscan shrew,Suncus etruscus, at about 3.5 cm in length and 2 grams in weight. The latter is possibly the world's smallest extantmammal, although some give this title to thebumblebee bat.Crocidura contains the most species of any mammal genus.
When young must be moved before they are independent, mother and young form a chain or "caravan" where each animal hangs on to the rear of the one in front. This behaviour has also been observed in someSorex species.
SubfamilyCrocidurinae