A large and widespread species of shrew which often enters buildings and has a strange jangling call.

Statistics
15cm long, not including the tail, and weighing 106g.

Physical description
A large shrew, uniform greyish brown in colour with a thick, tapering tail. Like all shrews it has a long, mobile snout. Musk glands on its flanks which give it a distinctive smell.

Distribution
Widespread throughout Asia, as well as many Pacific islands, and has been introduced to north eastern Africa.

Habitat
Fields, grain stores and houses.

Diet
Insects and other invertebrates.

Behaviour
House shrews, as their name suggests, are mainly found near human habitation, where they are useful in eating invertebrate pests.

Reproduction
Breeding takes place throughout the year, with females usually bearing two litters per year. The litter size is 1-5, usually 3.

Voice
The house shrew makes a sound like jangling coins, and is sometimes called 'the money shrew'.