This species has been reported from northern South Asia, central and southern China, and northern Southeast Asia. In South Asia, it has been recorded from North Sikkim (India) and Eastern Nepal (Molur et al. 2005). In China, it is present in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Xizang (Smith and Xie 2008). In Southeast Asia, it is limited to parts of northern Myanmar. It is a largely montane species found from 900 to 2,270 m asl.

Nectogale elegans is a monotypic species found in the Oriental region of the world (Tate 1947). The Elegant Water Shrew is also found in the Himalayas and southeast Tibet, hence one of its other names, the Tibetan Water Shrew. (Corbet & Hill 1980)

Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )

The Elegant Water Shrew has soft, velvety fur. Its dorsal side is described as having slate-colored fur mixed in with long, white guard hairs (Tate, 1947). The ventral side of the shrew is similar in color to its dorsal side, but without the guard hairs (Parker 1990). The neutral fur coloring of Nectogale elegans allows it to blend in easily with its background.

Its tail, which is moderately thick, is basically black except for the stiff-haired, white, lateral fringes that aid it in swimming and paddling. (Tate, 1947) These fringes merge together along the shrew's underside and give its tail a long pyramidal appearance (ITSES 1995, 10/8/01).

The streamlined shape of the shrew is enhanced by the strong reduction of its pinnae in its ears (Vaughan, Ryan, Czaplewski 2000, 116-7). In fact, the ears are so small that the outer ear conch can hardly be detected (Tate, 1947).

The only part of the shrew that is not gray is the fur around its mouth, which is cream-colored (Tate, 1947). The shrew also has a relatively long snout (Nowak 1995). The shrew's 28 teeth are adapted to feeding on fish.

On the soles of the shrew's feet are disk-shaped "adhesive" pads (Parker, 1990). These pads may help the shrew climb along wet rocks and may aid in the grasping of its prey (Nowak, 1995). The feet are also broad and webbed and also contain guard hairs to aid in swimming (Tate, 1947). These fringes of stiff, white hairs can be seen along the edges of the digits (Nowak 1995).

The size of the N. elegans is large for a shrew. Its head and body length ranges from 90-128 mm and its tail length alone is about 89-110 mm (Parker, 1990). The Elegant Water Shrew is about the same size as the Musk Shrew, Suncus murinus (Tate, 1947).

Form and function go hand-in-hand in the Elegant Water Shrew. Its gray-and-white color along with iridescent fur allow the Elegant Water Shrew to blend in with its surroundings. The shape of the shrew makes it easier to dive for food. In addition to swimming and diving well, the shrew's adaptations also allow it to burrow into the banks of the streams it inhabits.

Range mass: 25 to 45 g.

Range length: 90 to 128 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

As its common names would suggest, N. elegans is found in or near water. It can be found in clean, mountain streams of China, Tibet, Nepal, etc. The shrew lives both in the water and in stream beds. (Parker 1990, 490)

Range elevation: 900 to 2270 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: mountains

Aquatic Biomes: rivers and streams

Nectogale elegans is an aquatic species that is well adapted to swimming and diving for its food. Its teeth are well adapted for eating small fish. Foods eaten by N. elegans include insects and larvae, crustaceans, and small fish.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Primary Diet: carnivore (Piscivore , Insectivore , Eats non-insect arthropods)

Nectogale elegans preys on:
non-insect arthropods
Actinopterygii
Arthropoda
Insecta

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

No information is known about the reproduction of the Nectogale elegans.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions