About Myosorex varius (Smuts, 1832)
The forest shrew, Myosorex varius, grows to a total length of approximately 12.5 cm (5 in), with a tail length of 4.3 cm (1.7 in), and has an average mass of around 12 g (0.4 oz). In KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg region, males are larger than females. However, in the Cape Colony, individuals of both sexes are similar in size. This shrew has a coat of short, dense fur: it is dark grey or brown on its upper body, and paler on its underbelly. The forest shrew is native to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. It is often the most common small mammal in upland areas, but it is less common in coastal areas. It can be found in a wide variety of both primary and secondary habitats, including forests, grassland, scrub, semidesert, karoo, and fynbos.
