Himalayan water shrew

Japanese: カワネズミ(川鼠) - カワネズミ（英語表記）Himalayan water shrew

A mammal of the Soricidae family in the Insectivora order. It resembles the common shrew, but is much larger and has adapted to life in water. It is found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Chugoku, Myanmar, and the Himalayas. Its body length is 8-10 cm, and its tail length is 8-9 cm. Its body color is slate with a brownish tinge on the back, and grayish white on the ventral side. However, when it swims in the water, it appears silvery because it stores air between its fur, which reflects light. Its eyes are very small. Its small ears are hidden by the fur and cannot be seen, but they serve to cover its ear holes when it dives into the water.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

食虫目トガリネズミ科の哺乳類。トガリネズミに似るが，体がずっと大きく水中生活に適応している。本州，四国，九州のほか，中国，ミャンマー，ヒマラヤに分布する。体長8～10cm，尾長8～9cm。体色は背側が褐色を帯びたスレート色，腹側は灰白色。ただし，水に入って泳ぐ姿は毛の間に空気を蓄えているため光を反射して銀色に見える。目はごく小さい。小さな耳は毛に隠れて見えないが，水に潜った際に耳の穴をふさぐ働きがある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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