The clue is in the name: Sorex minutus aka the pygmy shrew is one of Europe’s smallest mammals measuring up to just over 6 centimeters in length. Three of these diminutive creatures have been catalogued at two alpine sites in South Tyrol. Both sites lie at over 3,000 meters in altitude setting a new European record. Previously the shrew had never been observed above 2,500 meters above sea level. What does the discovery mean? Has S. minutus been living at such heights for a while, or is this discovery evidence of a recent upward migration because of global warming?

This remarkably widespread species lives up to its name, with a habitat stretching as far as Russia and the Ural Mountains. In Switzerland, it had previously been observed at elevations of up to 2,500 meters above sea level. However, a recent discovery in South Tyrol has pushed the known altitude limits even higher. As part of the Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol and GLORIA projects, researchers conducting a routine survey made an exciting find – three shrews at record-breaking heights. One was spotted at an altitude of 3,060 meters near the Swiss border, while the other two were even higher at 3,280 meters in the Senales valley. Even more intriguing, all three were young, indicating they weren’t recent arrivals from lower elevations but were likely born and thriving in this extreme environment.

The pygmy shrew thrives in diverse habitats, from damp forests to shrublands and grassy fields, where dense vegetation offers both food and shelter. However, the alpine landscapes of South Tyrol present an entirely different challenge. Instead of lush plant cover, these high-altitude sites are dominated by rugged terrain, with rocks and boulders taking the place of dense foliage. Yet, these tiny creatures have adapted, finding refuge in the countless crevices and rocky shelters that protect them from the harsh mountain elements.

The researchers published this new altitudinal record for S. minutus in Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy. Chiara Paniccia, the lead author of the article, noted, “Studying the geographical and altitudinal distribution of the pygmy shrew has always been challenging. Additionally, high-altitude fauna and flora studies are quite rare. It is possible that the shrew was already present at similar altitudes but went unnoticed until our recent observation.” However, Paniccia explained that another factor might underlie the discovery: global warming.

“It is well-documented that many plant and animal species are migrating to higher altitudes due to rising temperatures, a phenomenon which is particularly noteable in the Alps. The presence of S. minutus above 3,000 meters could be yet another example of this shift,” she stated. To confirm this, Paniccia emphasized the need for further studies, which could also help determine the shrew’s diet at such high elevations.

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