American pygmy shrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American pygmy shrew |
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The American pygmy shrew (Sorex hoyi) is a tiny mammal. It is a type of shrew. You can find it in Alaska, Canada, and parts of the United States. This shrew lives in forests across North America. It is thought to be the second-smallest mammal on Earth! Because it has a very fast metabolism, it needs to eat almost all the time.
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What is an American Pygmy Shrew?
The American pygmy shrew is the smallest mammal living in North America. It is only about 5 cm (2 inches) long. This tiny creature weighs about 2 to 4.5 grams (0.07 to 0.16 ounces). That's less than a nickel!
Its fur is reddish or grayish-brown during the summer. In the winter, its fur turns a white-gray color. The shrew changes its fur about two times a year. It has a narrow head with a pointed nose and whiskers. Its eyes are very small.
Where Do Pygmy Shrews Live?
American pygmy shrews live in many places. You can find them from northern Alaska to the Rocky Mountains. They also live near the Great Lakes region and in the Appalachian Mountains. They are found on the eastern side of Canada.
Even though these shrews like wet places, they have been seen in both wet and dry soil. They prefer coniferous and deciduous forests in North America.
What Do Pygmy Shrews Eat?
The American pygmy shrew mainly eats insects and insect larvae. It also enjoys eating worms. To stay alive, this tiny shrew must eat every 15 to 30 minutes. It eats constantly, day and night. This is because of its super-fast metabolism.
Who Hunts Pygmy Shrews?
Many animals hunt the American pygmy shrew. Some of its predators include hawks and owls. Snakes also hunt them. Even brook trout and domestic cats can be predators of these small shrews.
How Do Pygmy Shrews Reproduce?
Scientists do not know much about how American pygmy shrews reproduce. They seem to mate all year long. The time it takes for a baby shrew to develop is about 18 days. This is called the gestation period.
Female shrews usually give birth to three to eight young ones. The young shrews typically leave their family when they are about 25 days old. An American pygmy shrew is thought to live for about 16 to 17 months.
How Do Pygmy Shrews Behave?
Pygmy shrews dig through the soil to find their food. They can also use tunnels made by other animals to help them search. These shrews do not sleep or rest for very long. They have amazing senses of smell and hearing. These strong senses help them find their food in the dark tunnels and dense forests.
See also
In Spanish: Sorex hoyi para niños
