Long-tailed Shrews
ExploreMammals
Long-tailed Shrews
Sorex
Long-tailed shrews are tiny, furry animals with long tails. They are very quick and love to scurry around in the grass looking for insects to eat.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Long-tailed Shrew has a slender body with dark brown to reddish-brown fur on its back, fading to a lighter grayish-brown underneath. Its most distinguishing feature is a long tail, often as long as its body. It has tiny eyes and a sharply pointed snout.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilySoricidaeGenusSorex
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Shrews are not rodents; they are more closely related to moles than to mice!
Some shrews can actually shrink their brains and skulls in winter to save energy!
Their tiny hearts can beat an astonishing 800 times per minute!
They can eat more than their own body weight in food every single day!
Special abilities
Ability
Sound Navigator
Long-tailed Shrews can use high-pitched sounds to 'see' their surroundings in the dark, much like bats.
Ability
Energy Dynamo
Long-tailed Shrews have a super-fast metabolism that helps them stay warm and active in cold environments.
Ability
Super Sniffer
Long-tailed Shrews have an excellent sense of smell that helps them locate tasty insects and worms underground.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-14 cm
- Weight
- 0.003-0.008 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years
- Top Speed
- 8 km/h
- Litter Size
- 4-8
- Gestation
- 18-28 days
Diet & Feeding
These tiny hunters gobble up insects and other small creatures to fuel their super speedy lives!
Primary Foods
- Insects
- Earthworms
- Spiders
- Centipedes
- Small slugs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
A common nocturnal predator of shrews.
eaten by
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis
A small, agile hunter that preys on shrews.
eats
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
A primary food source found in soil.
eats
Ground Beetle
Carabus nemoralis
Shrews actively hunt various species of ground beetles.
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.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to observe shrews from a distance and not try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Long-tailed Shrews?
10-14 cm
How much does Long-tailed Shrews weigh?
0.003-0.008 kg
How long does Long-tailed Shrews live?
1-2 years
How fast can Long-tailed Shrews move?
8 km/h
What does Long-tailed Shrews eat?
These tiny hunters gobble up insects and other small creatures to fuel their super speedy lives!
Where is Long-tailed Shrews usually found?
Grasslands
How does Long-tailed Shrews hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Long-tailed Shrews usually have?
4-8
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