Is this a Vole??

[wildherbalian85]

I didn't kill it but im curious as to what it is. It looked like a mouse with a long snout. Probably killed by a cattle or bird.

[mh68]

Its a Pygmy Shrew judging by the length of the tail.Could have just died of natural causes, they often turn their toes up for no apparent reason.

Mark H

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by mh68

Its a Pygmy Shrew judging by the length of the tail.Could have just died of natural causes, they often turn their toes up for no apparent reason.

Mark H

Ahh thanks, i had never heard of them until now. Well this was about the size of a mouse and he was on Farlington marsh which is frequented by birds of prey and Fox's so i guess it was lucky to die of old age.

[shirl]

Looks like a Pygmy Shrew as Mark said, pity really the only ones I see are usually dead.

Shirl

[mh68]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Ahh thanks, i had never heard of them until now. Well this was about the size of a mouse and he was on Farlington marsh which is frequented by birds of prey and Fox's so i guess it was lucky to die of old age.

If you click on the blue link below, you`ll find a bit of info on them in the reference section
A lot of birds and animals wont eat them due to the offensive odour they emit, but they do still kill them...

Pygmy Shrew

Mark H

[vole-woman]

I was forever fishing live and very cross shrews out from behind my cooker. The cat would bring them in, realize they tasted nasty, and spit them out. Were they grateful to be saved? Were they heck. Many's the time I've had to prise tiny teeth out of my finger tip.

[wildherbalian85]

Thanks peeps.

So these little things are always hungry, bite when disturbed, and themselves not very palatable