The Canary Shrew is mainly known from malpaís (barren lava fields with sparse vegetation), where it likely makes use of rich underground structures and lava tubes that experience less temperature fluctuation and higher humidity relative to external conditions. It seems to be adapted to the hot and dry conditions of these plains (Hutterer et al. 1992, Stone 1995), but it is found in many habitat types, such as sandy plains, ravines and barren mountain crests. The shrew is also sometimes found in gardens and abandoned arable land (Palomo et al. 2007). It feeds on insects and other invertebrates, and can depredate Atlantic Lizards (Gallotia atlantica) sometimes bigger than itself owing to venom in its saliva used to immobilise prey (López-Jurado and Mateo 1996).

The Canary Shrew (Crocidura canariensis) is endemic to the eastern Canary Islands, where it is currently found on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and the islets of Lobos and Mount Clara. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is approximately 2,480 km². In Fuerteventura, there are no records of presence of this species in the south of the island, though this may be due to a limited number of surveys undertaken here. Fossil evidence indicates that it previously occurred on La Graciosa and Alegranza (Hutterer 1999), but it has never been trapped on either of these islands and is presumed to have gone extinct (Palomo and Gisbert 2002, Rando et al. 2011). Remains of this species found in owl pellets collected on La Graciosa and Alegranza are believed to result from the movement of owls between different islands (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). Overall, the distribution of the Canary Shrew may be severely fragmented as a result of anthropogenic-associated habitat loss further to existing natural barriers to dispersal (R. Hutterer pers. comm. 2006, C. Schuster pers. comm. 2022).

The Canary Shrew is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EU Habitats and Species Directive, and is also protected under Spanish law. It is found within a number of protected areas in Fuerteventura (including Corralejo, Betancuria, Malpaís Grande, and Cuchillos de Vigán), in Lanzarote (including Timanfaya National Park, in several protected areas of Natura 2000 and Canary Protected Areas Web), and in Lobos and Mount Clara (the latter islands are protected as a whole) (Schuster 2014). Research is needed to determine the ecological and conservation requirements of this species (Stone 1995), especially interactions with invasive alien species and the availability of insect prey. Recommended conservation measures include reducing the use of pesticides and agrochemicals, controlling feral cats and preventing further introductions of alien species to small islands such as Mount Clara (Palomo et al. 2007).