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SHREW
Other Names: Water Shrew, Pygmy Shrew, Common Shrew
A shrew is about the same size as a mouse or a vole and can be recognized it by its long pointy nose and very sharp teeth. Ounce for ounce, a shrew is the most voracious animal on the planet. It hunts constantly, eating animals five times larger than itself. It will even go after birds at feeders and attack family pets. | | Description of the Shrew
Scientific Name: | Soricidae | Color: | Dusty gray | Weight: | ½-1 ounce | Length: | 3-4 inches | Tail Length: | As long as body – up to 4 inches | Body: | Small head & slender body; elongated snout | Ears: | Furry & do not stick out much above the hair on the head | Eyes: | Relatively large eyes | Lifespan: | 1-2 years | Droppings: | ¼ inch long; corkscrew shaped; dark color | Reproduction of the Shrew
Litter Size: | 4-6 pups per litter | No. of Litters: | 3-4 litters per year | Sexual Maturity: | 3 months | Gestation Period: | 21 days | Breeding Season: | Outdoors: Spring & Fall; Shrews are solitary except when breeding | Diet of the Shrew Daily Amount: | 1/2 ounce; can eat an amount equal to its weight in 24 hours |  | Daily Water: | Utilizes moisture in food | Daily Food: | Insects, beetles, spiders, meats, birds, mice, snakes | Habitat of the Shrew Geography: | Different shrew species are located all over North America | Nest Location: | Outdoor burrows near low-lying shrubbery; globular nests made of shredded leaves | Home Range: | Up to 1.5 acres | Active Periods: | More active at night than during the day | | |
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