Grey musk shrew (suncus murinus caerulescens)

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Sinhalese:  Hik-miya, Kunu-miya

Tamil: Mungi’eli , Munjuru

Description: The largest shrew in Sri Lanka. Averaging 246 mm in length overall. The tail is shortest. Both sexes have well developed musk glands and the musty odour is often strong in adults. It is lightest coloured shrew in the country, growing darker with age. Albinos and skewbald are not uncommon in some areas.    There are 10 members of the shrew family in the island.

Distribution:  This shrew is almost certainly ‘imported’ from India and is not, therefore, an indigenous animal, but it is fairly common in major towns, mainly in the low country.

Habits: Lives mainly in human dwellings and outhouses where it is unwelcome, but is useful, feeding on cockroaches and other insects at night. During the day it remains hidden. It is harmless to man but is savage with other small creatures and will kill rats or drive them away from its territory. They are therefore very beneficial to man, and should not be killed.

Breeding: The 2-3 young are bone with their eyes closed and without teeth. The nest is usually a collection of dry leaves or similar material placed in a secluded place.

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