Alpine Shrew vs Balkan Heath

Sorex alpinus compared with Coenonympha orientalis

Key Differences

• Alpine Shrew is Near Threatened while Balkan Heath is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Alpine Shrew	Balkan Heath
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Soricidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Sorex	Coenonympha
Species	Sorex alpinus	Coenonympha orientalis

Evolutionary Relationship

Alpine Shrew and Balkan Heath share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Alpine Shrew

NT — Near Threatened

Balkan Heath

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Alpine Shrew	Balkan Heath
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Alpine Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ukraine. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Balkan Heath

Habitat

Inhabits Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Alpine Shrew

The Alpine Shrew (Sorex alpinus) is a species in the genus Sorex. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Found in Ukraine. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Balkan Heath

The Balkan Heath (Coenonympha orientalis) is a species in the genus Coenonympha. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.