Crocidura elongata is a medium-sized shrew of approximately 14 grams. This species is found in lowland and montane rain forests (Esselstyn et al. 2021). It can tolerate a degree of habitat disturbance, and can be found in degraded and secondary forests, and scrubland at lower elevations (Mittermeier and Wilson 2018).

This species was previously thought to be widespread across Sulawesi, but a recent taxonomic revision has revealed that it appears to be restricted to the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, Indonesia, from the northeast (the type locality, Temboan and Mt. Ambang, North Sulawesi Province) and northwest (Mt. Dako, Central Sulawesi Province, and Mt. Buliohuto, Gorontalo Province) areas of endemism (Esselstyn et al. 2021). The absence of records from the north-central area of endemism are almost certainly due to the general lack of mammal collecting from this region (Esselstyn et al. 2021). It has been recorded in a broad range of elevations, from approximately 500 to 1,600 m asl (Esselstyn et al. 2021).

This species is found in Bogani Nani National Park, Gunung Dako Nature Reserve, Gunung Ambang Nature Reserve and Nantu Nature Reserve/Suaka Margasatwa Nantu. Further studies are needed on the distribution, abundance, natural history, threats and conservation needs of this species.