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Musk Shrews
ExploreMammals
Musk Shrews
Crocidura
Musk shrews are small, furry animals that love to dig and explore! They have long noses and tiny eyes, making them great at finding food in the ground.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Musk Shrews has short, dense fur that is typically grey-brown on top, fading to lighter grey or white underneath. It features a long, pointed snout that twitches constantly, tiny dark eyes, and small, rounded ears often hidden within its fur. Its slender body and tail make it distinct from a mouse.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilySoricidaeGenusCrocidura
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Musk shrews have poor eyesight and rely on touch and smell to navigate!
Musk shrews must eat their entire body weight in food every single day!
Their super-fast heart can beat over 1000 times a minute, even faster than some birds!
They release a musky scent when scared, which is how they got their name!
Special abilities
Ability
Sonic Navigator
Musk Shrews can use high-frequency squeaks and listen to echoes, helping them navigate and find food in total darkness.
Ability
Metabolic Dynamo
Musk Shrews have an incredibly high metabolism and fast heartbeat, which allows them to be highly active and agile.
Ability
Caravan Connect
Young Musk Shrews form a special 'caravan' by holding onto each other's tails, helping them follow their mother safely.
Ability
Venomous Bite
Some Musk Shrew species have venomous saliva that can paralyze prey, making it easier for them to eat it.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 6-10 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-8
- Gestation
- 20-30 days
Diet & Feeding
These tiny hunters gobble up lots of insects and worms to fuel their speedy lives!
Primary Foods
- Insects
- Insect Larvae
- Earthworms
- Slugs
- Spiders
- Small Vertebrates
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Preyed upon by this nocturnal hunter.
eaten by
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
An occasional prey item for the opportunistic fox.
hunts
Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
A common and nutritious food source.
hunts
Red Wood Ant
Formica rufa
Forages for various insect species including ants.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
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.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
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
Musk shrews are shy and prefer to be left alone. It's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Musk Shrews?
6-10 cm
How much does Musk Shrews weigh?
0.005-0.015 kg
How long does Musk Shrews live?
1-2 years
How fast can Musk Shrews move?
10 km/h
What does Musk Shrews eat?
These tiny hunters gobble up lots of insects and worms to fuel their speedy lives!
Where is Musk Shrews usually found?
Forests
How does Musk Shrews hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Musk Shrews usually have?
3-8
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