Greater white-toothed shrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greater white-toothed shrew |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Crocidura
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| Species: |
russula
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| Greater white-toothed shrew range | |
The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is a small, busy mammal. It eats mostly insects. You can find these mammals in parts of Europe and North Africa.
It's the most common type of white-toothed shrew. They live near the Mediterranean Sea, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, and Portugal. A group of these shrews was even found on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Another kind, Crocidura russula ibicensis, lives on the island of Ibiza. In 2008, they were also found in Ireland. They love living in grasslands and woodlands. They are a bit bigger than the lesser white-toothed shrew. It's hard to tell them apart without looking closely at their teeth. Their teeth are special because they are not colored.
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Discovering the Greater White-toothed Shrew
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You can tell a greater white-toothed shrew by looking at its teeth. Unlike some other shrews, C. russula does not have iron coloring on the tips of its teeth. This means their teeth look white.
These shrews have a coat that is grey or reddish-brown on top. Their belly is usually yellowish-grey. Greater white-toothed shrews are medium-sized. They usually weigh about 11 to 14 grams. Their head and body are about 6 to 9 centimeters long. Their tail is usually about 3 to 4.3 centimeters long.
Where Greater White-toothed Shrews Live
C. russula shrews live in places with a mild climate. They need areas where there are lots of insects to eat. You can often find them in grasslands, woodlands, and along hedgegrows. They also like good agricultural areas.
When it gets colder, these shrews might move closer to farms and gardens. They build their nests under stones, logs, or in burrows left by other animals. These shrews usually live in places that are less than 1000 meters high.
What Greater White-toothed Shrews Eat
The greater white-toothed shrew is a carnivore. This means it eats meat. They mainly eat invertebrates, which are animals without backbones, like insects. Sometimes, they also eat small rodents, lizards, and tiny amphibians.
How Shrews Avoid Predators
Several animals hunt the greater white-toothed shrew. Owls, especially barn owls, are common predators. Snakes also hunt them. Small carnivorous mammals like weasels and genets are also threats.
To stay safe, these shrews often hide under plants or fallen leaves when they are active. They also use camouflage. Their fur color helps them blend in with their surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot them.
Amazing Shrew Behavior
Greater white-toothed shrews are known as semi-social mammals. This means they sometimes live together. In winter, C. russula shrews might share nests. They can also go into a state called torpor. This is like a short, light sleep that helps them save energy when it's cold.
Mated pairs of shrews often guard their territory together. These shrews are usually monogamous, meaning they have only one partner. It's interesting because the females often move away from their birth area more than the males. This is unusual for mammals. This movement helps prevent shrews from breeding with their close relatives.
Greater white-toothed shrews can be very noisy. They have a basic form of echolocation. They make high-pitched chirping sounds. These sounds help them understand their environment, like finding their way around in the dark. They use their larynx (voice box) to make these calls. Their vibrissae (whiskers) also help them explore. Scientists think they use sounds, touch, and smells to communicate with each other.
Reproduction
Greater white-toothed shrews usually have one breeding season in their lifetime. Females can get pregnant again very soon after giving birth. They mostly breed from March to September. During this time, a female can have about four litters. Each litter can have anywhere from 2 to 10 young shrews.
These shrews grow up quite quickly. The young shrews stay in their parents' territory until the next breeding season begins.
Life Span
In the wild, a greater white-toothed shrew usually lives for about 18 months. However, if they are kept in a safe place like a laboratory, they can live much longer. Some have survived for up to 30 months in captivity.
Role in the Ecosystem
C. russula shrews are an important food source for many animals. They are prey for owls, snakes, and other small predators. However, if there are too many of these shrews, they might cause problems for other small mammals. For example, they could reduce the number of pygmy shrews.
In April 2008, the greater white-toothed shrew was found in Ireland. Since then, it has spread quickly through the southern parts of the country. While having more shrews might help birds of prey like the barn owl, this nonnative mammal could be a threat. It might compete with smaller native species, such as the Eurasian pygmy shrew, for food and space.
