The Common Shrew (Sorex araneus), also known as the Eurasian Shrew, has small eyes, a long, pointed snout, and red-tipped teeth. It is the most common species of shrews found throughout Northern Europe, except for Ireland. Common Shrews are carnivorous and insectivorous as they eat insects, spiders, worms, amphibians, and small rodents.
They need to consume 200 to 300% of their body weight and eat every 2 to 3 hours daily to survive. The common shrew does not hibernate in the winter as its body is too small, but adapts by shrinking its bones and losing mass from its organs.
Common Shrews have a shoulder height of 1”-1.5” (2.5-3.8 cm), body length between 2”-3.1” (5-8 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .18-.5 oz (5-14 g). The tail of the Common Shrew is .8”-1.6” (2-4 cm) in length. Common Shrews have a typical lifespan of 1-2 years.
The Common Shrew (Sorex araneus), also known as the Eurasian Shrew, has small eyes, a long, pointed snout, and red-tipped teeth. It is the most common species of shrews found throughout Northern Europe, except for Ireland. Common Shrews are carnivorous and insectivorous as they eat insects, spiders, worms, amphibians, and small rodents.
They need to consume 200 to 300% of their body weight and eat every 2 to 3 hours daily to survive. The common shrew does not hibernate in the winter as its body is too small, but adapts by shrinking its bones and losing mass from its organs.
Common Shrews have a shoulder height of 1”-1.5” (2.5-3.8 cm), body length between 2”-3.1” (5-8 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .18-.5 oz (5-14 g). The tail of the Common Shrew is .8”-1.6” (2-4 cm) in length. Common Shrews have a typical lifespan of 1-2 years.
