Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Mammals

Shrew

Shrews are small, mouse-like mammals in the family Soricidae.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Shrews are small, mouse-like insectivores in the family Soricidae. They are not rodents and have pointed snouts and a very high metabolism.

What it is

Shrews belong to the family Soricidae and the order Eulipotyphla. Despite their mouse-like appearance, they are not rodents but are more closely related to moles and hedgehogs. Over 300 species exist worldwide.

Key features

Shrews are tiny mammals with long, sensitive snouts, tiny eyes, and sharp teeth adapted for hunting. Their extremely high metabolism requires them to eat frequently. Some species have venomous saliva used to subdue prey, but they are not dangerous to humans.

Diet and habitat

Shrews are mostly insectivorous, feeding on insects, worms, spiders, and other invertebrates. They live in a wide range of habitats including forests, grasslands, gardens, marshes, and burrows. They are widespread across much of the world, including Canada.

In short

  • Shrews are insectivores, not rodents.
  • They have pointed snouts and sharp teeth.
  • They eat mainly insects and other invertebrates.
  • Most shrews live only 1 to 3 years.
Canadian angle

Shrews occur in Canada, where several species live in forests, grasslands, wetlands, and gardens. They are familiar but often overlooked native mammals in Canadian ecosystems.

Quick questions

What is a shrew?
A shrew is a small insectivorous mammal in the family Soricidae. It looks mouse-like but has a pointed snout, sharp teeth, and a very high metabolism.
Are shrews rodents?
No. Shrews are not rodents; they are insectivorous mammals in the family Soricidae and order Eulipotyphla.
What do shrews eat?
Shrews mainly eat insects and other invertebrates such as worms, spiders, slugs, and larvae. Some species also eat seeds or nuts.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/shrew
    Supports: Shrews are small mammals in the family Soricidae and are not rodents.
  2. Havahart — https://www.havahart.com/shrew-facts
    Supports: Typical lifespan, habitat preferences, and general shrew characteristics.
  3. BioKIDS (University of Michigan) — https://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Soricidae/
    Supports: Distribution, habitat, lifespan, and family-level classification.
  4. Missouri Department of Conservation — https://www.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/shrews
    Supports: Shrews are not mice or rodents and have sharp teeth adapted for hunting prey.
  5. The Wildlife Trusts — https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/common-shrew
    Supports: Diet and preferred habitats for common shrews.
  6. The Nature Conservancy — https://blog.nature.org/2018/03/05/strange-and-unbelievable-facts-about-shrews/
    Supports: Shrews are widespread and voracious mammalian predators.