Pygmy shrew?

vole-woman · #11 (**permalink**) 05-12-2011, 09:46 AM

Blimey! Whatever did it survive on? I thought they had to eat every three hours.

Janec · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2011, 10:30 AM

So did I.
I can only presume that initially it lived on all the insects hiding in my car.
I've got plants in there usually overnight once a week and all sorts of things wander out. I had to take the shrew to market with me though so it was left to it's own devices for a good 7 or 8 hours. (I did drive with my jeans tucked into my socks though)

The way we trapped it in the end was to take out the spare wheel which left a big slippery dip, and put some cat food and some bird seed (in case it wasn't a shrew) in the dip. Luckily in the morning the shrew was there and most of the cat food wasn't. I thought they only ate live food but apparently not.
Jane

vole-woman · #13 (**permalink**) 05-12-2011, 03:01 PM

That is amazing!

Dogghound · #14 (**permalink**) 05-12-2011, 06:34 PM

Was it missing fur from the back of its neck? This is suggestive of an adult female. I agree common shrew, not just size but coat colour too.

Janec · #15 (**permalink**) 06-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Now I look again at the photo it does look like it's fur is a bit untidy around the back of the neck.
It was a beautiful little creature and dispite their reputation didn't bite anyone. We were very glad to see it alive and well (and especially caught) in the morning.
I check the plants very carefully now before putting them in the car although I did have a sleepy wasp buzzing about in there last week and was probably guilty of driving without due care and attention.

Jane