Mammals
Asian House Shrew
Suncus murinus · also called musk shrew, money shrew
Chattering somewhere behind a market stall with a musky scent trailing behind it, an Asian house shrew has become such a familiar, if often unnoticed, presence in towns and villages across Asia that some cultures consider it a sign of good fortune.
Overview
The Asian house shrew, Suncus murinus, is a highly adaptable insectivore native to forest and grassland habitat across South and Southeast Asia. Its strong musky odour, close association with human dwellings, distinctive chattering call, and status as a good-luck symbol in some cultures make it one of the most culturally and ecologically familiar small mammals found anywhere across its range.
A neighbour few people notice
Living quietly within houses, markets, and storerooms across much of Asia, the Asian house shrew has become one of the most successful small mammals at adapting to a life shared with people, often revealing its presence through smell and sound long before it is ever actually seen.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and abundant across suitable habitat throughout South and Southeast Asia, aided by strong adaptability to human-altered environments.
Asian House Shrew: common questions
Why does the Asian house shrew have such a strong smell?
This species produces a strong, musky odour from dedicated scent glands, a distinctive trait that gives rise to one of its common names and often makes its presence known within a building well before the animal itself is actually seen.
Why is the Asian house shrew sometimes called the money shrew?
This species is regarded as a symbol of good fortune in some cultures within its range, a belief that contributed to the alternative common name "money shrew" used in parts of Asia where the species commonly shares living space with people.
Does the Asian house shrew make any distinctive sounds?
Yes, this species produces a distinctive chattering vocalisation, often heard when individuals are startled or interacting with one another, a sound that can help identify its presence even in low light or dense clutter.
Why is the Asian house shrew so commonly found in towns and villages?
This species is highly adaptable to human-altered environments, thriving in urban and agricultural settings in addition to more natural habitat, a flexibility that has made it a familiar, if often unnoticed, resident across much of South and Southeast Asia.