Ruwenzori otter shrew[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Afrosoricida |
Suborder: | Tenrecomorpha |
Family: | Potamogalidae |
Genus: | Micropotamogale |
Species: | M. ruwenzorii
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Binomial name | |
Micropotamogale ruwenzorii (de Witte & Frechkop, 1955)
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Ruwenzori otter shrew range |
The Ruwenzori otter shrew (Micropotamogale ruwenzorii) is a species of semiaquatic dwarf otter shrew of the family Potamogalidae.[3] It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Otter shrews are shrew-like afrotherian mammals found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar.[3]
Ruwenzori otter shrews live in the rivers and streams of various biomes, mostly in forests. They also live at various altitudes, ranging from lowland forests just a few hundred meters above sea level to montane forests over 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level.[2] Its prey is primarily small animals, such as fish, crabs, worms, insects, and small frogs. It is threatened by habitat loss.[2]