[ID] Two small dead mammals...

Jason Green · #1 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 05:43 PM

Afternoon all,

Two mammals I found today need naming if poss, please! Unfortunately they were both dead, age or something I suppose.

20/07/2010

Long, tussocky grassland
Note the tooth. Length maybe about 3-4ins - remember, I'm not really an experienced mammal person!

20/07/2010

Shrew, public path alongside hedgerow
Full-length, tail close-up, head/snout and tooth

I've never seen a Shrew before, just a shame the first one was dead. Not too sure on the size.

Thanks for reading!

Take care,

Jason

shenk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 06:06 PM

I think the shrew is a common shrew and the other could possibly be a vole (with the rounded nose)-poss short tailed from the picture in my book (lighter underside).

The pictures in my book aren't as good as yours(although your subjects weren't moving

) so I could be completely wrong(as usual).

shenk1

RKB · #3 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 06:06 PM

Brown rat and common shrew.

scottwild · #4 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 06:13 PM

Shrew is a Common Shrew. The pygmy shrew is very similar (but distinctly smaller)with its small ears being hidden in the fur and the third tooth being longer in the upper jaw than the second

Shrews are relatively unpalatable and are frequently killed but not eaten
This provides chance for closer inspection.