Sorex arunchi

Udine shrew

This species of shrew has been described in 1998 by Lapini and Testone.
Until then, shrews found in the resurgences area were attributed to species Sorex araneus (common shrew).
Studies have shown that instead resurgences shrews belong to a species in its own.
The name "arunchi" comes from the medieval Arvonchi Forest which is close to the Muzzana del Turgnano where it was found for the first time.
It has nocturnal habits, it lives underground in humid and hot lowlands, it is up to 7 cm long.
Shrews belong to the order of insectivores such as moles and hedgehogs, and feed mainly on insects and earthworms. They don’t hibernate during the winter.