JEDDAH: The Saudi National Center for Wildlife has recorded the first sighting of a rare species of shrew in the Kingdom’s southwest.

The Dhofar Zababah species, scientifically known as Crocidura dhofarensis, is native to the Dhofar region and the eastern part of Yemen, adjacent to Oman.

National Center for Wildlife CEO Mohammed Ali Qurban said that the documentation is an extension of the center’s efforts to protect ecosystems and preserve biodiversity — one of its key strategic goals.

Qurban highlighted the center’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable ecological system by maximizing research activities.

He said that the latest sighting, along with other discoveries like extinct hunting cheetah skeletons found in the north of the Kingdom last year, reflects the center’s progress in protecting natural habitats and enriching ecosystems.

The Dhofar Zababah thrives in dense, moist plant environments, such as agricultural areas, where it digs and burrows around water channels and damp soil.

It has one of the fastest heart rates among wild mammals, reaching up to 450 beats per minute. The white-toothed shrew feeds on invertebrates and seeds, relying on its strong sense of smell, and consumes food throughout the day due to its high metabolic rates.

The shrew is characterized by its small size, measuring no more than 12 centimeters in length and weighing about 10 grams.

It features a long, pointed snout with long straight hair, a short tail with a broad base that narrows towards the back, small eyes and short ears, and soft light brown fur.

The documentation of the species is a significant scientific and environmental development for the Kingdom, reflecting the center’s efforts to protect and sustain ecosystems, and preserve biodiversity.