Shrews
Shrews (Soricidae) are small insectivorous mammals belonging to the order Eulipotyphla. Despite their mouse-like appearance, they are taxonomically distinct from rodents and do not possess the gnawing teeth characteristic of true pest species that consume plant material.
What the section contains
Bicolored shrew
Crocidura leucodon
Common shrew
Sorex araneus
Eurasian water shrew
Neomys fodiens
Greater white-toothed shrew
Crocidura russula
Lesser shrew
Sorex minutus
Lesser white-toothed shrew
Crocidura suaveolens
Masked shrew
Sorex cinereus
Northern short-tailed shrew
Blarina
Northern short-tailed shrew
Blarina brevicauda
Shrew
Sorex
Water shrew
Neomys
White-toothed shrew
Crocidura
Shrews
The biology of shrews is centered on an extremely high metabolic rate. To survive, they must consume vast amounts of invertebrates daily. Their diet consists primarily of earthworms, insect larvae, centipedes, and snails, which makes them highly predatory rather than herbivorous.
In terms of agricultural impact, shrews are generally considered beneficial rather than harmful. They act as natural pest controllers by consuming large quantities of subterranean insects that would otherwise damage crop roots. However, they may occasionally cause minor mechanical damage to seedlings by disrupting the soil near plant roots while hunting.
The nature of the damage caused by shrews is purely incidental. Their tunnels, created while searching for prey, can cause localized drying of the root zone for small or newly transplanted plants. They do not feed on crops, seeds, or fruits, distinguishing them from voles or true rodents.
Management strategies for shrews are rarely aimed at eradication. Instead, professional agronomists recommend:
- Improving soil compaction around delicate seedlings.
- Utilizing landscape fabric or mesh to protect bulbous plants.
- Using ultrasonic devices if their presence causes significant structural disruption.