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
Diet
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
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
Reproduction
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
