# Eurasian Water Shrew (*Neomys fodiens*) The Eurasian Water Shrew is a small mammal that lives near water. It has a dark brown fur coat and loves to swim and dive for food. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Water Shrew ![Eurasian Water Shrew](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426560/objects/6077.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Water Shrew has dark, velvety fur on its back, typically black or dark brown, contrasting sharply with a white or pale grey underside. It is distinguished by its pointed snout, small eyes, and large hind feet fringed with stiff hairs that aid in swimming. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Soricidae - **Genus:** Neomys ## Interesting facts - Despite its size, it needs to eat 80% of its body weight every single day! - Eurasian Water Shrews can hunt and even catch prey larger than themselves! - Its tiny heart can beat an amazing 1,200 times per minute when active! - They use simple clicks for navigation, like a very basic form of echolocation! ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Propulsion:** Eurasian Water Shrew can swim powerfully using paddle-like fringed hind feet for rapid movement through water. - **Buoyancy Control:** Eurasian Water Shrew can trap air in its fur to float or release it to sink and walk along riverbeds. - **Waterproof Armor:** Eurasian Water Shrew has dense, hydrophobic fur that keeps its body dry and warm even after prolonged dives. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.023 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 6 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-10 - **Gestation:** 19-21 days ## Diet & Feeding A tiny, fierce hunter that preys on insects, small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic creatures. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic insects, Small fish, Tadpoles, Snails, Crayfish - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Preys on shrews, especially young or weakened individuals. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — Opportunistic predator, may consume shrews. - **Hunts:** Three-spined stickleback (*Gasterosteus aculeatus*) — Major food source in aquatic environments. - **Hunts:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Eats tadpoles and juvenile frogs. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [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. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid touching wild shrews as they may bite when feeling threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Water 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 Water Shrew? 12-18 cm ### How much does Eurasian Water Shrew weigh? 0.01-0.023 kg ### How long does Eurasian Water Shrew live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Eurasian Water Shrew move? 6 km/h ### What does Eurasian Water Shrew eat? A tiny, fierce hunter that preys on insects, small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic creatures. ### Where is Eurasian Water Shrew usually found? Wetlands ### How does Eurasian Water Shrew hunt? Pursuit ## 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 Water Shrew: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-water-shrew)