The Sicilian Shrew is widespread in all island environments; at higher altitudes it is also active in winter. It is more frequent in mesophilic broadleaved woods than in thermophilic ones. Presence data suggest a preference for grasslands, arable land and open bushes and for gardens in urban and suburban areas. Regardless of the altitude and exposure, the most frequented biotopes have a thick and intricate layer of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation (Sarà 2008). The Sicilian Shrew preys upon arachnids, insects, annelids and molluscs, with a preference for spiders, crickets, larvae of ants and termites, actively sought both day and night. It also feeds on dead arthropods, small rodents and reptiles (Sarà 2008). Females give birth to three to nine young per litter, and individuals can reach an age of 12-18 months (Mittermeier and Wilson 2018).

The Sicilian Shrew (Crocidura sicula) is endemic to Sicily, its surrounding islands and Malta: it is currently found on Sicily, Ustica, and the Egadi islands (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo). In the Maltese archipelago, it is present on Gozo, and possibly on Comino (two specimens were found in owl pellets, and one individual was recorded in a bucket on the north coast), but further investigation of its occupancy is required (Aloise et al. 2011, Sciberras et al. 2012). It may be extinct on the island of Malta where it is known only from subfossil remains (Vogel 1999). It is widespread in all Sicilian environments from sea level up to about 1,600 m (Sarà 2008).

It is protected under Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It is a species of interest in Italy, and therefore listed in Appendix IV of the EU Council Directive 92/43 / EEC ‘Habitat’. No specific conservation actions are recommended at this time, but research is needed to quantify abundance and population trends, and to measure potential impacts of agriculture and tourism (M. Sarà pers. comm. 2022). This is one of only three ancient endemic mammal species occurring on the Mediterranean islands (Gippoliti and Amori 2006), and for this reason, it is a valuable species to conserve.