At a glance
Essentials
- Size
- Head and body: 55–64 mm; tail: 27–29 mm. The range may vary with age, sex and population.
- Distribution
- Endemic to Honduras; recorded in the mountains of Santa Bárbara, Santa Bárbara National Park.
- Habitat
- Cold coniferous and mixed forests with pines and oaks, at approximately 1700 m altitude.
- Activity
- Last recorded capture in 1995 in the Santa Bárbara Mountain; no data on behavior or reproduction.
- Conservation
- Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN; threatened by deforestation and extensive livestock farming.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
Head and body length of 55 to 64 mm and tail of 27 to 29 mm.
- 02
Ventral fur of brown color and tail that narrows towards the tip.
- 03
It differs from Cryptotis parva by its longer tail and non-medium-brown fur, and from Cryptotis merriami by its non-blunt tail tip.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Cryptotis hondurensis is a small mammal of the family Soricidae, classified within the order Eulipotyphla. It was scientifically described by Woodman and Timm in 1992, after previously being included in Cryptotis gracilis.
This species is characterized by its reduced size, with a head and body length ranging between 55 and 64 mm, and a tail of 27 to 29 mm. The fur is brown on the ventral part, and the tail narrows towards the tip. These features distinguish it from congenic species such as Cryptotis parva, which has a shorter tail and medium-brown fur, and Cryptotis merriami, which presents a blunter tail tip.
Its distribution is restricted to the mountains of Honduras, specifically in the Santa Bárbara region, within the Santa Bárbara National Park. Known records come from elevations of approximately 1700 meters above sea level, where it inhabits cold coniferous and mixed forests, dominated by pines and oaks. No sightings have been recorded outside this mountainous area, and the species has not been confirmed in other Central American countries, despite some sources mentioning it uncertainly in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Information about its biology is limited. No data is available on its reproduction, behavior, or diet. The last recorded capture dates from 1995 in the Santa Bárbara Mountain, and since then no new sightings have been reported. In its habitat, the species faces threats derived from deforestation and extensive livestock farming, factors that could negatively affect its population. Its global and national conservation status is Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN, due to the lack of information on the size of its population and its long-term trend.