Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 22346–25311

(e.g. Tidemann 1988: 2036 trapnights with pitfall, Elliott and snapback traps in 1988; N. Dunlop: 1500 pitfall trapnights in 1985/1986; and H. Yorkston: 120 pitfall trap nights in 1987).
   -       Extensive nocturnal studies of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis (Hill & Lill 1998a, b), Christmas Island Pipistrelle Pipistrellus murrayi (Lumsden & Cherry 1997, Lumsden et al. 1999) and reptiles (Cogger & Sadlier 1981, 2001) throughout primary rainforest.
   -       Studies of gut contents and/or faecal material of potential predators, including the Feral Cat Felis catus (Tidemann et al. 1994, data in the CIP-commissioned 2002 fauna survey), Christmas Island Hawk-Owl (Hill & Lill 1998b) and the Wolf Snake Lycodon capucinus (Rumpff 1992, Cogger & Sadlier 2001).

Habitat
At the time of settlement, the Christmas Island Shrew was widespread in rainforest extending from the shoreline to the plateau (Lister 1888, Andrews 1900). It was not recorded whether the shrew occurred within other forest communities, for example scrubby forest in exposed situations on shallow soils, coastal fringe vegetation dominated by pandanus Pandanus christmatensis and the Cabbage Tree Scaevola taccada, and in perennially wet areas. The importance to the species of karst terrain (including caves, overhangs, rock crevices, sinkholes, and inland cliffs rising out of the terrace rainforest) is unknown.

The most recent records were of single individuals from tall plateau rainforest in deep soils (J. Tranter, DEH, pers. comm.) and terrace rainforest with shallow soils (P. Goh, DFAT, pers. comm.). The majority of primary plateau and terrace rainforest, including the locations for the two 1985 sightings, is now protected within the Christmas Island National Park. It is unknown whether the shrew may occur in secondary regrowth. There appear to have been no records from around human habitation on the island.

The Christmas Island Shrew was recorded to shelter in holes in rocks and roots of trees, and foraged predominantly on small beetles (Andrews 1900). Other Crocidura species either dig their own burrows in loose soil or leaf mould frequently under fallen trees and rocks or use those of other animals (Nowak 1999). An important component of habitat occupied by some Crocidura shrews is the presence of a high degree of ground cover with associated deep leaf litter and slightly moister soil (Dickman 1995). These preferences are linked to increased prey availability and predator avoidance, but may also facilitate burrow construction (Dickman 1988, 1995). It is not known whether the Christmas Island Shrew favours these microhabitats within the rainforest.

Habitat critical to the survival of the species
Until further information is obtained, by applying the precautionary principle to the EPBC Act criteria, all areas of primary plateau and terrace rainforest on the island should be considered as potential habitat critical to survival (Figure 1).