It has been collected in open mountainous areas that are dry in summer and snow-covered in winter (Vogel 1999), mostly in humid settings with barberry shrubs (Mittermeier and Wilson 2018). It is possible it also occurs at lower altitudes, but if so, its habitat preferences there are unknown. The preferred habitat at high altitudes plateaus of various sizes, rather than cliffs and peaks (P. Lymberakis pers. comm. 2018).

The Cretan Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni) is endemic to Crete (Greece) with the first evidence of its occurrence on the island dating from the Middle Pleistocene (Reumer 1986). It has been trapped in the central mountains (Lefka Ori, Mt. Psiloritis and Mt. Dikti) at altitudes of 1,150 to 1,400 m. However, owl pellets collected at 140 to 830 m contained remains of this species, indicating that it may also occur at lower altitudes (Vogel 1999). The extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 3,400 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 52 km².

It is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It is also listed as endangered in the Red Data Book of Threatened Animals of Greece (Legakis and Maragou 2009). Research is required to determine its distribution and population trend, and to investigate potential threats (especially competition with Gueldenstädt's Shrew and potential effects of climate change) to identify appropriate conservation measures. A genetic study to understand genetic flow among populations on the three mountains is needed.