National Museum of Natural Science

The Himalayan water shrew is a semiaquatic shrew that inhabits stream banks where there is high oxygen content. It feeds on insects, fish, and shrimp in the water. Because it requires a very clean stream environment, it is currently only found in national parks. In Taiwan, it is listed as a category I endangered species. The hair along its body is gray and fluffy. Along the tail and palms are neatly arranged long white hairs that form a hydrophobic layer to facilitate its activity in water and to keep its body dry and prevent loss of body heat.

Text/Chen Yan-Jun, Chen Mu-Xuan

Photo/Huang Xiao-ting

Himalayan water shrew