Shrews
ExploreMammals
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
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Hyper Metabolism
Shrews has an incredibly fast metabolism that helps them stay constantly active and energetic, needing to eat almost non-stop.
Ability
Sound Navigator
Certain Shrews can use echolocation, emitting high-frequency sounds that help them 'see' in the dark to navigate and find prey.
Ability
Venomous Bite
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
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.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
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.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Venomous
Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting.
Also known as
Shrew
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Shrews are small and shy, so it's best to observe them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Shrews?
3-18 cm
How much does Shrews weigh?
0.002-0.05 kg
How long does Shrews live?
1-2 years
How fast can Shrews move?
6 km/h
What does Shrews eat?
Shrews are tiny hunters that mostly feast on insects, worms, and other small critters they find.
Where is Shrews usually found?
Forests
How does Shrews hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Shrews usually have?
2-10
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