Water shrews inhabit all sorts of freshwater habitats, but are particular numerous in water cress beds. They hunt at all times of the day and night, mostly in water. Description: short, glossy hair and silvery- white underparts. The Tibetan water shrew has sharp teeth that seem to be specialized for catching fish, which are its main prey. Size: 8 cm (3 in); 8 - 18 g (0.3 - 0.6 oz). Air is trapped in the fur, which gives the shrew buoyancy, but makes it harder to dive. The Eurasian water shrew is found across Europe and Asia. The Tibetan water shrew is the only species of shrew to have webbed feet. A typical litter contains about five or six young, although twice this number is possible. This shrew is often found in or close to water. 2. While under water, the shrews detect the movements of prey using whiskers on their snouts. Red-coloured iron compounds coat the tips of its teeth, which makes them more hard-wearing. Water shrews live alone and are known to hunt for insects. Fun Facts about Shrews for Kids. It is three times more than the smallest, the pygmy shrew, and about the same size as a small wood mouse. Some members of this species live farther away from flowing water, in damp areas such as hedgerows. It also lives in damp conifer forests. © 2020 Young People's Trust For the Environment. They grab the food with their forefeet or mouth. The Tibetan water shrew has a long dark coloured tail with several fringes of short, stiff white hairs that shine with rainbow iridescence when wet. The western limit of its range is Britain. If it did not feed continuously, a shrew would die within a few hours. Interesting Facts About the Shrew. The shrew is one of the most wide-ranging mammals in all of North America. The species is one of the red-toothed shrews. The water shrew has stiff hairs on its feet that allow it to scamper across the surface of the water. Water shrews are semi-aquatic mammals which use water and wetlands for shelter and resources – in this case mainly for food. The Young People's Trust for the Environment is a charity which aims to encourage young people's understanding of the environment and the need for sustainability. The North American Shrew has velvety, soft fur with a short tail and small eyes. The eyes are very small, as are the which are largely hidden by fur. The Eurasian water shrew is found across Europe and Asia. It extends south into high, mountainous regions of the United States, most notably along the Rockies, where climatic conditions are similar to those found further north. The Eurasian water shrew is the largest shrew species in Britain. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Try 3 issues of BBC Wildlife Magazine for just £5! It also has disc-like pads that may help it keep its footing on slippery wet stones. Stiff hairs fringe the water shrew’s feet and form a keel on the underside of its tail. Sometimes away from water, even on dry downland. Photo by NPS/April Henderson on Flickr in the Public Domain. Discover fantastic facts about Britain's largest shrew. You can unsubscribe at any time. Also across most European countries and central Asia. Females born early enough can breed in their first year. The tail has a keel of hairs, which helps with swimming. Habitat: Near streams and other fresh-water habitats. The young are weaned after 40 days. A shrew is very small, so it quickly burns up its energy reserves. Distribution: Tibet, south-central China, Nepal and northern Burma. Habitat: usually lives near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and marshes. Several species of water shrews even take to streams. If it did not feed continuously, a shrew would die within a few hours. After each dive, they shake their fur dry. Gestation Period: 20 days; 2 - 3 litters a year, born in a nest of grass. They are vulnerable to many predators, including birds of prey. Water Shrew facts 1. Adult water shrews are around 15cm long - the head/body is: 67-96mm: & tail is: 45-77mm 3. Unlike other shrew species found in Britain, the water shrew has venomous saliva that stuns its prey. How To Have A Good Relationship and a Well-Mannered Dog. Water shrew (Neomys anomalus). They are even occasionally found on sea shores and saltmarshes. Weighing up to 18g, the water shrew is Britain’s largest shrew. They are also able to shed excess water by squeezing through their tight burrows. Water shrews breed during the summer. Size: length, 14cm of which tail is just under half. The water shrew is the largest of the five species of British shrews and like all shrews leads a hectic life, busy by day and night on the look-out for food. Shrews are small mammals with cylindrical bodies, short and slender limbs, and clawed digits. Most aquatic shrews forage by making repeated dives in the same spot, each dive lasting usually less than 20 seconds. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Discover Wildlife terms and conditions. Distribution: widespread throughout Britain except for Ireland and some offshore islands. This shrew lives in a burrow dug in a stream bank. 3 Even a keel. Males of this large shrew species tend to be longer than females. Breeding: 2 - 3 litters of 3 - 10 young produced in spring and summer. Eurasian water shrews live in burrows and occupy distinct territories. A water shrew’s thick, water-repellent fur provides protection against the cold and wet. Most of their prey are the aquatic youngsters of insects such as crane flies and caddis flies. Both are thought to help propel the animal in the water. Stiff hairs fringe the water shrew’s feet and form a keel on the underside of its tail. Thanks! Water shrews are the largest of the British shrews. Size: 9 - 13 cm (3.5 - 5 in); 25 - 45 g (0.05 - 0.09 lb). There are several species of shrew that are at home in water. You can find a shrew species in just about any habitat. There are so many different species of these creatures, that it isn’t surprising that they possess a variety of different traits and adaptations. Breeding: Average 5 - 6, range 3 - 12; weaning occurs at 42 days. Some shrews have poisonous saliva, which paralyzes their prey. These frantic little mammals are very well adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. For 101 facts on meerkats, click here. Food: Invertebrates caught in water and on land; may also hunt small fish. Already have an account with us? Bristles are present on the underside of the tail and on the paws, helping the shrew to swim more easily. Eurasian water shrews live in burrows and occupy distinct territories. All of these have silky fur that repels water, long tails and fringes of stiff hairs along the edges of their feet, toes, fingers and tails that help them swim. The water shrew is the largest of the five species of British shrews and like all shrews leads a hectic life, busy by day and night on the look-out for food. In the wild, they will die if they go without food for about three hours. It does not live in Ireland. In captivity, water shrews have been seen feeding once every ten minutes. The water shrew is the largest of the five species of British shrews and like all shrews leads a hectic life, busy by day and night on the look-out for food.

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