Elegant water shrew (Nectogale elegans) Also known as: Tibetan water shrew
The elegant water shrew is the only species in its genus. It is found in the Himalayas and southeast Tibet, hence its other name. As its common names would suggest, it is found in or near water, usually in clean mountain streams. The elegant water shrew has soft, velvety fur of a rather neutral color which helps it blend into its environment. Its tail is basically black except for the stiff-haired, white, lateral fringes that aid it in swimming and paddling. As another adaptation for swimming, this shrew's ears are so small that the outer ear conch can hardly be detected. Foods eaten by the elegant water shrew include insects and larvae, crustaceans, and small fish.
Classification Animalia - Chordata - Mammalia - Eutheria - Boreoeutheria - Laurasiatheria - Eulipotyphla - Soricidae - Soricinae - Nectogalini - Nectogale - N. elegans
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