Shrews are not only a semi-terrestrial species, they are also a type of animal that loves to eat. this little one rodent-like creature is found all over the world.
So, what do shrews eat? Shrews eat all kinds of insects, snails, worms and snails.
But how much does a shrew eat and how do they affect their local environment? The answers may surprise you, given the small size of this species. Let’s learn more about what shrews eat now.
What does a shrew eat?
A shrew will eat almost any type of insect, including ants, beetles, worms, moths, slugs, snails and more. Since this animal lives underground but comes to the surface to feed, they have a wide variety of insects at their disposal.
Shrews are commonly known as insectivores, meaning that their primary food source comes from insects or insects. However, shrews are also known to eat rodents, such as baby mice or rats. Although it depends on the species, this would make shrews carnivores, not just insectivores.
Although shrews can be small, their appetite is large, but more about how much a shrew can eat later.
A Complete List of 11 Foods Shrews Eat
Depending on the specific species of shrew, these animals eat the following:
Although insects are the favorite meal of most shrew species, they are known to devour mice with their very small and sharp teeth. According to the Journal of MammalogyShrews eat mice, rats and other small mammals, but this may be due to their extremely territorial nature.
It should also be mentioned that shrews are not rodents, despite their appearance and other similar characteristics. While it’s nerve-wracking to imagine this little muzzle-eating creature eating a mouse, at least it’s not the same species!
How much does a shrew eat?
A shrew eats 2-3 times its body weight in food every 24 hours. While shrews don’t weigh much and this isn’t a lot of food after all, eating 2-3 times your body weight is an impressive feat.
Shrews have such an impressively fast metabolism that even a few hours without food can lead to their death. Even though they make their homes under the earth, shrews are often found on the surface and eat anything they can find.
According to Science magazine, a shrew relies heavily on its sense of smell and touch to find food. They are mostly blind creatures, as they normally live in complete darkness underground. They use echolocationjust like bats.
Do shrews have predators?
Shrews have predators, such as birds of prey, foxes, cats and weasels.
Given their small size and relative inability to defend themselves, shrews are common prey. Coming to the surface is always a dangerous time for shrews, especially because they can’t see well above ground.
Some common shrew predators include:
However, there is something special about shrews that makes them unappealing to most predators once they’ve caught them: shrews are equipped with scent glands that taste disgusting when a shrew is attacked.
According to the Journal of MammalogyShrews are covered in these scent glands and can give off an odor that is repulsive to carnivores and predators. Although they can die, many shrews are abandoned by predators once their scent glands are activated.
Shrews are also a surprisingly territorial animal. They are known to fight against other small rodents and mammals, and to the death. Although shrews will also eat mice, many studies believe that shrews kill mice simply out of territorial disputes.
There can be many predators that prey on shrews, but it is important to mention that shrews are also venomous. Like snakes, a shrew can bite and inject venom into its prey or attacker, often leading to paralysis or death, depending on the creature’s size.
Shrews are able to poison an insect or spider and keep it alive to eat later, paralyzed and unable to escape. When you think of this little animal as venomous, you’ll definitely think twice if you’re approaching a shrew!
Is a shrew dangerous to humans?
Shrews aren’t necessarily dangerous to humans, but their bite can hurt because of their sharp teeth and venom. Yes, believe it or not, many species of shrews have venom in their bodies, which allows them to incapacitate their prey.
The Journal of Mammalogy quotes: that shrews cannot poison mammals larger than them, but the venom in their bite can cause extreme discomfort. If a shrew bites a mouse or an insect, they are likely to kill or paralyze their food.
While this does not mean that a shrew is dangerous to humans, caution should be exercised when handling them. A shrew can’t poison a mammal the size of a person, but it can certainly handle a sharp bite with its 32 pointed, rodent-like teeth.
What do shrews eat in winter?
Shrews eat much less food in winter and are able to shrink their bodies to survive. This includes their entire being, and they can even shrink their internal organs, such as their brain and liver.
Although shrews are not known to hibernate, by physically shrinking their bodies in winter, they can survive on less food during these colder months. This can be a great boon to a creature that could freeze if it needs to surface to eat.
Whatever happens, a shrew is an opportunistic eater, especially if food is scarce in winter. They will eat any insects they encounter and may eat more mammals during this season if mice are around more often.