The Life Cycle Of Timid Shrews
They are small, fluffy mammals, known for their long snouts and, although they look like it, they are not rodents… they are related to the Soricidae family ! In this article, we’re going to talk about the life cycle of shrews, some animals that live almost all over the world and are, in their own way, graceful.
Shrews Characteristics
These mammals are the smallest that exist in the animal kingdom : the largest species – Asian house shrew – is native to tropical Asia; it measures just 15 centimeters and weighs 100 grams.
The smallest – Suncus etruscus – is native to southern Europe and northern Africa; reaches five centimeters in length and… only three grams in weight!
Despite their small size, shrews are one of the most active mammalian animals on the planet; they can hunt their food day or night, based on touch, because their eyesight is very poor and they eat their own weight daily in food.
If they spend more than four hours without eating, they suffer a decompensation so severe that it makes them die.
Their diet is mainly based on small insects; although they can eat other invertebrates and even carrion, rats and lizards.
If necessary, they produce poisonous saliva; as well as its “cousin” the mole, which paralyzes prey, including the earthworm.
This particular “aroma” makes shrews less attractive or interesting to those good-smelling species, including raccoons, dogs and cats.
However, it has almost no effect on birds of prey and owls, who choose them for food and catch them in mid-flight.
In total, there are more than 200 species of shrews, most of them terrestrial, preferring places with high humidity, stony soil and abundant vegetation: forests, barns and pastures.
They also choose areas with a great diversity of fauna; so they can stick to their diet every two or three hours.
Shrew life cycle
The breeding period takes place between the months of February and September; although it is more common in May and June, when temperatures rise.
Pregnancy lasts about a month. Per litter; between two and nine puppies can be born.
Shrew babies are born hairless and weigh less than a gram; for the first week, they can follow the mother in ‘Indian line’ one after the other and hold the tail of the brother in front.
At that point they haven’t opened their eyes yet; therefore it is necessary for them to follow the mother in this way.
When their fur grows, they also open their eyes; however, they continue to drink the mother’s milk until the third week of life.
What happens to parents at that time? They are in charge of defending the nest. They can be very aggressive towards intruders despite their small size!
Shrews don’t hibernate and live a maximum of one year in the wild… they are the least long-lived mammals on the planet!
If they are in captivity and receive the necessary care, they reach four years of life.
