# Eurasian Pygmy Shrew (*Sorex minutus*) The Eurasian Pygmy Shrew is a tiny, quick mammal that scurries around looking for insects to eat. They are so small that they can fit in your hand and are very good at hiding! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eurasian Pygmy Shrew](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sorex_minutus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Importé sur Commons par Salix. Sur Flikr par Polandeze, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorex_minutus.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Pygmy Shrew is a tiny mammal, often no bigger than a thumb, with velvety brownish-grey fur on its back and a lighter, whitish underside. It has a long, pointed snout, small beady eyes, and tiny, almost hidden ears, making its head look very streamlined. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Soricidae - **Genus:** Sorex ## Interesting facts - Its heart beats an astonishing 1,200 times a minute! - Pygmy shrews can move their jaws up to 10-12 times per second while eating! - They must eat every few hours or they can starve to death. - This tiny shrew can eat its own weight in food every single day! ## Special abilities - **Hyper-Metabolism Engine:** Eurasian Pygmy Shrew has a super-fast metabolism that makes them need to eat almost constantly to survive. - **Super Sniffer:** Eurasian Pygmy Shrew can find hidden food using its highly sensitive nose and whiskers, even in complete darkness. - **Tiny Explorer:** Eurasian Pygmy Shrew can squeeze through incredibly small gaps and tunnels because of its flexible, tiny body. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-6 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.007 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-2 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-12 - **Gestation:** 19-21 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny hunters mostly eat small insects and other invertebrates they find on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Spiders, Slugs, Worms, Larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A common owl predator. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Hunted by this opportunistic predator. - **Eaten by:** Least Weasel (*Mustela nivalis*) — A small mammal predator. - **Hunts:** [Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle) (*Carabus nemoralis*) — Actively preys on these beetles. - **Hunts:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Often catches these spiders. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a shrew, just watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Pygmy Shrew? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Pygmy Shrew? 4-6 cm ### How much does Eurasian Pygmy Shrew weigh? 0.002-0.007 kg ### How long does Eurasian Pygmy Shrew live? 1-2 years ### How fast can Eurasian Pygmy Shrew move? 8 km/h ### What does Eurasian Pygmy Shrew eat? These tiny hunters mostly eat small insects and other invertebrates they find on the ground. ### Where is Eurasian Pygmy Shrew usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eurasian Pygmy Shrew hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eurasian Pygmy Shrew: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-pygmy-shrew)