Common Shrew
ExploreMammals
Common Shrew
Sorex araneus
The Common Shrew is a tiny mammal with a long snout and a furry body. They are quick and love to scurry around looking for insects and worms to eat!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Shrew has a velvety, dark brown back that fades to a lighter, greyish-white belly. It features a long, pointed, mobile snout, tiny eyes, and small, almost hidden ears, making it visually distinct from mice or voles.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilySoricidaeGenusSorex
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A shrew's tiny heart can beat an astonishing 1200 times per minute, making them super speedy!
Common Shrews eat up to 90% of their body weight daily, needing food every few hours!
Red-tipped teeth make them strong for crunching tough insect exoskeletons!
Unlike many small mammals, Common Shrews do not hibernate, staying active even through winter.
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Shrink
Common Shrews can shrink their skull and brain in winter, helping them survive cold periods with less energy and food.
Ability
Caravan Travel
Common Shrews have a unique 'caravan' behavior where young link up to travel safely behind their mother in a line.
Ability
Super Sniffer
Common Shrews use their incredibly long, mobile snouts to constantly probe and find hidden insects and worms underground.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 6-9 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.012 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-1.5 years
- Top Speed
- 7 km/h
- Litter Size
- 4-10
- Gestation
- 19-21 days
Diet & Feeding
These tiny hunters constantly search for insects and other small invertebrates to fuel their speedy lives.
Primary Foods
- Beetles
- Larvae
- Earthworms
- Spiders
- Slugs
- Snails
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Tawny Owl
Strix aluco
A common nocturnal predator that often hunts shrews.
eaten by
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Often preys on shrews, though their scent can make them less appealing.
eats
Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
An important food source, often dug out from underground.
eats
Ground Beetle
Pterostichus melanarius
One of many beetle species consumed by the hungry shrew.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Shrews are small and shy, so it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Common Shrew?
6-9 cm
How much does Common Shrew weigh?
0.005-0.012 kg
How long does Common Shrew live?
1-1.5 years
How fast can Common Shrew move?
7 km/h
What does Common Shrew eat?
These tiny hunters constantly search for insects and other small invertebrates to fuel their speedy lives.
Where is Common Shrew usually found?
Grasslands
How does Common Shrew hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Common Shrew usually have?
4-10
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