Shrews

Soricidae

Shrews are tiny, mouse-like mammals with long noses and sharp teeth. They are very active and love to dig in the ground to find food like insects and worms.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Shrews has a tiny, mouse-like body, covered in soft, dense fur that is typically grey, brown, or black. They are easily recognized by their long, pointed snout and very small eyes, which makes them look distinct from rodents.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilySoricidae

Shrews

Interesting facts

Shrews are found almost everywhere on Earth except Australia and Antarctica.

Shrews have such tiny eyes, they rely more on hearing and smell to navigate their world.

Some shrews can amazingly shrink their own brains and skulls in winter to survive cold.

Their tiny heart beats incredibly fast, over 1000 times a minute when active!

Special abilities

Shrews has an incredibly fast metabolism that helps them stay constantly active and energetic, needing to eat almost non-stop.

Certain Shrews can use echolocation, emitting high-frequency sounds that help them 'see' in the dark to navigate and find prey.

Shrews like the Northern Short-tailed Shrew have venom in their saliva that helps them quickly subdue larger prey.

Measurements & details

Length: 3-18 cm
Weight: 0.002-0.05 kg
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Top Speed: 6 km/h
Litter Size: 2-10
Gestation: 18-28 days

Diet & Feeding

Shrews are tiny hunters that mostly feast on insects, worms, and other small critters they find.

Primary Foods

Insects
Worms
Spiders
Slugs
Small Mollusks

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Nocturnal owls often hunt shrews, especially young ones.

eaten by

Least Weasel

Mustela nivalis

Agile weasels are skilled predators of small mammals like shrews.

hunts

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Shrews actively burrow and search for earthworms in the soil.

hunts

Ground Beetle

Carabus nemoralis

Many ground beetle species are a primary food source for shrews.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Burrowing

Dig deep and discover animals that build amazing homes underground! They create tunnels and chambers to stay safe, find food, or escape the weather.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.