Soricomorpha By Kyle Zimmerman

Classification  Kingdom Animalia Animals  Phylum Chordata Chordates  Subphylum Vertebrata Vertebrates  Class Mammalia Mammals  Order Soricomorpha Insectivores  Family Solenodontidae Solenodons  Family Soricidae Shrews  Family Talpidae Desmans and Moles

Family Solenodontidae/Solenodons  Contains two species the Cuban Solenodon and the Hispaniolan Solenodon.  The population is declining rapidly and is in danger of extinction.  Eat insects, also sometimes eat plant material.  The live in forests or brush.  Nocturnal only active at night.  Special groove in the second incisor that carries venom

Map Range  Hispaniolan Solenodon  Cuban Solenodon

Family Soricidae/Shrews  Over 300 species  The Etruscan Shrew (Suncus etruscus) which at about 3.5 cm and 2 g is the smallest living terrestrial mammal.  Shrews must eat % of their own body weight in food daily.  Iron in the enamel turns the teeth red and adds resistance  Active throughout the day and night  Common in hedgerows, fields and Forests

Map Range  Not found in polar regions, Australia, and southern South America.

Family Talpidae/Desmans and Moles  42 species that are grouped into 17 genera.  Desmans and some moles are aquatic they are skilled swimmers that live near the water and, they eat aquatic invertebrates and small fish that they catch underwater.  There are only two species of desmans, one lives in Asia and the other in Europe, and both are endangered.  They are active at all times of the day and night. Pyrenean Desman Russian Desman

Family Continues Talpidae/Desmans and Moles  Have forelimbs and paws specialized for digging.  The female mole can give birth to babies.  The mole can be found in a wide range of habitats, including woods, fields and gardens. Hairy-Tail Mole Star-Nose Mole Eastern Mole

Map Range  Found throughout most of North America and Europe.

Predators  Foxes  Skunks  Ermines  Kestrels  European Otters  Asian Mongooses  Reticulated Pythons  Feral/ Domestic Cats  Feral/ Domestic Dogs  European Pine Martens  Greater False Vampire Bats  Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged Hawks  Long-eared, Screech, Great Horned, Tawny, Barn Owls