Pygmy Shrew
Footprint Images
Description
The Pygmy Shrew is Britain's smallest mammal. It has brown fur and has a pointed, narrow nose and a bulbous head. They are solitary creatures and are intolerant of other shrews except during the breeding season. They are active both during the day and night.
Footprint Description
Tracks similar to Common Shrew. Due to the extremely small size, Pygmy Shrew prints are rarely found.
Distribution
Throughout the U.K.
Footprint Size
Habitat
Moors, forest and farmland.
Diet
Behaviour
Taxonomy
Images of Tracks & Signs
Male
Primary Image
Reproduction
The breeding season is from April - August and the young are born in underground nests. Several litters of 2 - 8 are born and they leave the nest after 3 weeks.
Scientific Name
Sorex minutus
Female
Height
Predators
Birds of prey, especially owls, foxes,members of the weasel family and cats.
Tracks & Signs Description
Juvenile
Length
Bodylength - 6cm
Weight
Between 3 - 6 grams, less than a ten pence piece
Speed
Droppings Images
Life Span
Also Known As
Droppings Description
Droppings are tiny in size - up to 0.8cm long with a diameter of approx
0.2cm. Dark in colour regardless of age. Contain insect remains.
Individual species cannot be determined from droppings, although the
differences between Shrew and Mouse droppings can be determined via
examination of food remains present.
Status
British Shrews are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to kill them without a special license.
Did You Know?
That if the Pygmy Shrew doesn't eat for more than two hours it will die. It consumes the equivelant of it's own body weight in food daily.