Fauna
Mammal

Puerto Rican Nesophontes

Nesophontes edithae

Also known as Puerto Rican Shrew, Edith's Nesophontes, Puerto Rican Island Shrew

Puerto Rican nesophontes were agile nocturnal insectivores that probed leaf litter and limestone fissures across the island with slender, flexible snouts. The largest member of its enigmatic family, this mammal used sharp, primitive dentition to crush tough arthropod exoskeletons before disappearing following the introduction of invasive black rats. Most of what is known about its biology stems from abundant skeletal remains recovered from prehistoric barn owl pellets in Puerto Rican cave systems.

EndemicNocturnal
Puerto Rican Nesophontes reference
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—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBeetles, Crickets, Land Snails
Predators
  • Puerto Rican Barn Owl
  • Black Rat
  • Feral Cat
ThreatsPredation and resource competition from introduced black rats, forest clearance
HabitatsTropical moist forests, karst sinkholes, and montane scrub
Life spanEstimated 1–3 years
Classification
  1. OrderSoricomorpha
  2. FamilyNesophontidae
  3. GenusNesophontes
  4. SpeciesNesophontes edithae
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Extinct species; no encounter hazard in the wild.
Responsible observation
  • Museum Collections: Observe historical subfossil skulls and teeth in curated natural history exhibits.
  • Cave Formations: Leave fossil deposits undisturbed when visiting protected karst caves in Puerto Rico.
Related species
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