Information on Shrews

Shrews are small, nocturnal mammals that live in a wide variety of habitats. Despite the fact that shrews can live almost anywhere and a female shrew can have up to 20 babies a year, their numbers have been greatly reduced by the use of pesticides and herbicides. In some parts of the world, certain shrew species now are protected from being trapped and poisoned. Shrews help man by eating many of the creatures we consider to be pests.

  1. Appearance

    • Shrews look much like mice with long, pointy snouts. They have small eyes and small ears that do not stick out very far from their heads.

    Types

    • There are many different types of shrews living all over the world. Polar regions are the only places where shrews do not live. Common types of shrews include the American short-tailed shrew, the elephant shrew, the water shrew and the desert shrew.

    Diet

    • Shrews eat often because the have a very high metabolism. Worms, snails, slugs, insects, small frogs, small fish and mice are the shrew's preferred foods but shrews will eat other shrews and plants when necessary.

    Predators

    • Shrews are eaten by birds of prey, weasels, snakes and cats.

    Defense

    • Camouflage is the shrew's primary method of self-defense. Special glands in a shrew's skin allow it to emit a foul smelling substance that makes it smell and taste unpleasant. Some species of shrews also have poisonous saliva that can be used to bite attackers. The toxins, however, are not fatal to humans.