It was listed as a critically endangered, but is now considered near threatened.

The Malayan water shrew has a white underside, a black coat along its top and sides and a fringe of bristles running along the surface of the tail and on the paws which act as swimming aids.

The Malayan water shrew lives in the Tropical Rainforests of Peninsula Malaysia.

It lives mainly by fresh water lakes and rivers surrounded by vegetation and spends much of its time underwater.

Underwater this shrew likes to stay in leafy areas to avoid predators and surprise its prey, which include fish, frogs and plants.